From Newarkto forever

Born in Brick City

Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal arrived on March 6, 1972, at Columbus Hospital in Newark, New Jersey, and spent his early years in the city's projects. He was so big as a toddler that his mother carried his birth certificate on the train to prove he was under 5 and still rode free.

The Little Warrior

His mother, Lucille, not quite 18, found "Shaquille" in a baby-name book listed as "Little one" and added the middle name Rashaun, "Warrior." Put them together and you get the name LSU's official bio translates as "Little Warrior." As a kid in Germany he got so tired of people mangling it that he went by "J.C." (Just Cool) for a while.

A Tale of Two Fathers

His biological father, Joe Toney, was a high school star who had been offered a Seton Hall scholarship. Toney went to prison when Shaq was an infant and later gave up his parental rights. From about age 2, Shaq was raised by Phillip Harrison, a tough-as-nails Army drill sergeant everyone called "Sarge," who also coached his youth teams.

Army Brat in West Germany

Sarge's Army career moved the family from New Jersey to Georgia and then to West Germany, where he was stationed at the remote base in Wildflecken. Shaq went to Fulda American High School at Downs Barracks in Fulda, and that's where his basketball story really starts.

"How Long You Been in the Service?"

In 1985, LSU coach Dale Brown was running clinics at Wildflecken when a huge kid in size-17 shoes came up asking for exercises to improve his vertical jump. Brown asked the soldier how long he'd been in the service. The answer: "I'm only 13." Brown asked to meet his father right away.

"I Want Him to Be a General"

When Brown met Sarge, all Harrison wanted to talk about was school: "I don't want my son to be a sergeant, I want him to be a general." Brown kept writing to the teenager for years. Shaq later said those letters offered him a scholarship to LSU even if he never became a basketball player, and they gave a kid with "zero confidence" a reason to believe.

Cut, Benched, and Braced

Believe it: Dale Brown recalled that Shaq's base high school team cut him early and suggested he might do better as a soccer goalie. In his memoir Shaq Uncut, O'Neal wrote that the coach never even learned his name and admitted, "I was terrible." Osgood-Schlatter disease had him playing in knee braces.

Next Stop: San Antonio

In 1987 Sarge was reassigned to Fort Sam Houston, and the 15-year-old landed in San Antonio already close to 6-foot-10 before his junior year. "I was just a kid from Germany," Shaq said later. Texas was about to find out what that meant.

68 Wins, One Loss

With Shaq in the middle, Robert G. Cole High School went 68–1 over his two seasons: 32–1 as a junior and a perfect 36–0 as a senior.

Perfect Season, State Crown

Cole finished 36–0 and won the 1989 Texas Class 3A state title, beating Clarksville 66–60 in the final as Shaq posted 19 points, 26 rebounds, six assists, and three blocks. Texas UIL director Charles Breithaupt later called him the "greatest player to ever play" in the state tournament.

Video-Game Numbers

As a senior, Shaq averaged 32.1 points, 22 rebounds, and 8 blocks a game and was named a First-Team Parade All-American.

McDonald's All-American

Shaq played in the 1989 McDonald's All-American Game, and LSU's official bio says he was MVP of both the McDonald's All-Star Classic and the Dapper Dan game.

Cole Hangs Up No. 33

On the 25th anniversary of the perfect season, Cole retired Shaq's No. 33, the number he chose because he admired Patrick Ewing. "Cole gave me the start of my dreams," he said.

"He Knew Me When I Was Nobody"

The nation's top recruit picked LSU because Dale Brown "knew me when I was nobody." In fall 1989 he joined a stacked Tigers roster with Chris Jackson and Stanley Roberts and enrolled as a business major.

Freshman Rejection Machine

In a wild 148–141 overtime win over Loyola Marymount, freshman Shaq put up 20 points, 24 rebounds, and an SEC-record 12 blocks. He finished 1989–90 with 13.9 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 115 blocks, an SEC single-season record, and made first-team All-SEC.

The Sophomore Explosion

In 1990–91, Shaq averaged 27.6 points and a nation-leading 14.7 rebounds, shot .628, and blocked 140 shots. He became the first player to lead the SEC in scoring, rebounding, field-goal percentage, and blocks in the same season. Highlights included a 53-point, 19-rebound night against Arkansas State on Dec. 18, 1990.

National Player of the Year

At 19, Shaq swept the major 1991 player-of-the-year awards: AP, UPI, and Sports Illustrated, plus the Adolph Rupp Trophy. He was also a consensus first-team All-American, SEC Player of the Year, and the Tanqueray World Amateur Athlete of the Year.

11 Blocks on the Big Stage

In the first round of the 1992 NCAA Tournament, Shaq put up a triple-double of 26 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 blocks in a 94–83 win over BYU, setting the tournament's single-game blocks record. Two days later he scored 36 points (12-of-12 at the line) in an 89–79 loss to Indiana, his last college game.

No April Fool's Joke

On April 1, 1992, Shaq held a press conference at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio to announce he was leaving LSU after his junior year. LSU's longtime sports information director suggested that a brawl with a Tennessee player at the 1992 SEC Tournament may have pushed the family's decision. His mom remembered it as a deal: "you do this now and go back to school later."

Nation's No. 1 Shot-Blocker

As a junior, Shaq averaged 24.1 points and 14.0 rebounds and led the nation with 5.23 blocks per game, 157 in all, breaking his own SEC record for the third straight year. He was again a consensus first-team All-American and SEC Player of the Year, and runner-up for both the Naismith and Wooden awards.

LSU Career by the Numbers

In three seasons and 90 games, Shaq scored 1,941 points (21.6 ppg), grabbed 1,217 rebounds (13.5 rpg, second in LSU history), shot .610, recorded six triple-doubles, and blocked 412 shots, an SEC career record. LSU went 64–29 with three NCAA Tournament trips.

The No. 1 Pick

Orlando beat 1-in-11 lottery odds, then took Shaq first overall on June 24, 1992, at Memorial Coliseum in Portland, ahead of Alonzo Mourning and Christian Laettner. A phone malfunction nearly kept the pick from reaching the league. Magic PR man Alex Martins called it in on a mobile phone with about 20 seconds to spare.

Reebok's Biggest Bet

Before his rookie season, Shaq signed with Reebok in 1992, which was the company's largest endorsement deal at the time. He launched his first signature shoe, the Shaq Attaq.

How Shaq-a-Claus Began: A Truck Full of Toys

Shaq traces his famous holiday tradition back to 1992, when his mother wanted to make sure kids who would otherwise wake up to nothing got a Christmas. His telling is simple: he got a moving truck, packed it with toys, and Shaq-a-Claus was born. Decades later, he still gives Mom the credit.

“I know I take all the credit, but this was her brainchild”

$40 Million Rookie

Before playing an NBA game, Shaq signed a seven-year deal with the Magic reportedly worth $40 million. theScore calls it the largest contract in pro sports at the time.

Welcome to the League

In his NBA debut against Miami, the 20-year-old posted 12 points, 18 rebounds and 3 blocks in a 110-100 Magic win, and he was Player of the Week before the month was out.

Backboard Breaker, Part 1: Phoenix

At Phoenix, the rookie threw down a dunk that broke the basket. Complex says the play 'put everyone in the NBA on notice and forced them to make stronger baskets.' His powerful dunks broke the steel backboard supports twice that rookie season.

Rookie All-Star Starter

Fans voted him into the starting lineup of the 1993 All-Star Game in Salt Lake City, making him the first rookie voted an All-Star starter since Michael Jordan in 1985. He had 14 points and 7 rebounds for the East.

Backboard Breaker, Part 2: The Stanchion Falls

At New Jersey, Shaq hit a two-handed slam so hard that the entire stanchion came down, and the game was held up for more than 40 minutes. Orlando still won 119-116. That was the second time in about three months his dunks broke a basket.

Shaq Diesel Goes Platinum

In his rookie season Shaq dropped his debut rap album, Shaq Diesel, on Jive Records, and it went platinum. It climbed to No. 25 on the Billboard 200, and both “What's Up Doc? (Can We Rock)” with Fu-Schnickens and “(I Know I Got) Skillz” went gold.

24 Points, 28 Boards, 15 Blocks

At New Jersey early in his second season, Shaq put up a monster triple-double: 24 points, 28 rebounds and 15 blocked shots in an 87-85 Magic win. The 28 rebounds and 15 blocks remain his career highs.

53 on the Timberwolves

Shaq scored 53 points on 22-of-31 shooting with 18 rebounds in a 121-101 win over Minnesota. It was his career high until the 61-point birthday game in 2000.

Big-Screen Debut: Blue Chips

Shaq made his feature-film debut in 1994's Blue Chips, playing college recruit Neon Boudeaux opposite Nick Nolte's coach.

Shaq Fu: A Cult Classic Is Born

Shaq Fu came out on Oct. 28, 1994 for the Sega Genesis and Super NES. Developed by Delphine Software and published by Electronic Arts, the 2D fighting game drew mixed reviews and became one of gaming's most talked-about cult titles.

Orlando Knocks Out Chicago

The Magic closed out the Bulls 108-102 in Game 6 of the 1995 East semifinals in Chicago, with Shaq posting 27 points and 13 rebounds. He averaged 24.3 points and 13.2 rebounds in the series.

Game 7 Win and the 1995 NBA Finals

Shaq had 25 points and 11 rebounds in a 105-81 Game 7 rout of Indiana that sent the Magic to the 1995 NBA Finals. Houston swept the series, but 23-year-old Shaq averaged 28.0 points, 12.5 rebounds and 6.3 assists against the champs.

The One and Only 3-Pointer

Against Milwaukee, Shaq made the only 3-pointer of his NBA career: 1-for-1 that night in a 121-91 Magic win, part of a 31-point game. He finished his career 1-for-22 from deep.

Kazaam! Shaq the Genie

In 1996 Shaq played the title genie in Kazaam and also served as an executive producer. He contributed three tracks to the film's soundtrack as well.

Hollywood Calling

During the Atlanta Olympics, Shaq signed a seven-year, $120 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, turning down a reported $115 million offer from Orlando. Showtime was back.

Suiting Up as DC's Steel

Shaq played a superhero in 1997's Steel, starring as DC Comics' armored hero John Henry Irons and again serving as an executive producer.

$1 Million for Club Tech Centers

Shaq gave $1 million to help Boys & Girls Clubs of America open 15 new technology centers in rural and inner-city Clubs, each with internet-connected workstations. Microsoft contributed cash and software to the same effort.

All-Star Co-MVP in Oakland

Shaq scored 22 points with 9 rebounds and shared All-Star MVP with Tim Duncan as the West won 137-126. It was the first piece of his huge 2000: All-Star MVP, league MVP and Finals MVP in the same year.

61 Points on His 28th Birthday

Shaq marked his 28th birthday with 61 points on 24-of-35 shooting plus 23 rebounds as the Lakers beat the Clippers 123-103 at Staples Center. It was his career high.

The Alley-Oop

The Lakers trailed Portland by 15 in the fourth quarter of Game 7 of the West finals and came all the way back. With just over 40 seconds left, Kobe Bryant drove and lobbed, and Shaq slammed home the alley-oop for an 85-79 lead. L.A. won 89-84 and went to the Finals. Shaq scored 9 of his 18 points in the fourth.

39 Free Throws: Hack-a-Shaq in Hyperdrive

In Game 2 of the 2000 Finals, Indiana fouled Shaq on purpose over and over. He finished with 40 points and 24 rebounds and went 18-of-39 at the line. The 39 attempts are the most in any playoff game in NBA history and broke Wilt Chamberlain's record of 34 for any game. The name 'Hack-a-Shaq' first described physical defense against him at LSU and in Orlando. Don Nelson's intentional-foul tactic, first tried on Dennis Rodman in 1997, was used on Shaq starting in 1999-2000.

Champion at Last

Shaq scored 41 points with 12 rebounds in a 116-111 Game 6 win over Indiana to win his first ring. He was Finals MVP after averaging 38.0 points and 16.7 rebounds on .611 shooting for the series.

0-for-11 at the Line

Even legends have rough nights at the line. Shaq went 0-for-11 in a 103-95 loss to Seattle, breaking Wilt Chamberlain's 1960 mark (0-for-10) for most free throw attempts without a make. He still finished with 26 points and 16 rebounds.

Promise Kept: LSU Graduate

Eight years after leaving, 28-year-old Laker Shaq put on a black robe and mortarboard, sat with his fellow graduates, and collected his LSU bachelor's degree in general studies. The Lakers let him skip a game to be there. "I promised my parents I'd do it, I promised myself I'd do it," he said, calling the diploma "a stamp on me as an educated man."

No. 33 to the Rafters

The night after graduation, LSU retired Shaq's No. 33 in front of a capacity crowd at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, making him the fourth LSU athlete to have a number retired and putting him in the rafters with Bob Pettit and Pete Maravich. "The years between 1989 and 1992 was the best time of my life," he said.

15-1: The Repeat

The 2001 Lakers went 15-1 in the playoffs, the best postseason record in NBA history at the time. The only loss was Game 1 of the Finals in overtime, when Shaq still had 44 points and 20 rebounds. L.A. finished off Philadelphia 108-96 in Game 5 (Shaq: 29 points, 13 rebounds), and he won his second straight Finals MVP at 33.0 points, 15.8 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game.

Overtime Game 7 in Sacramento

With the three-peat on the line, Shaq put up 35 points and 13 rebounds in a 112-106 overtime win at Sacramento in Game 7 of the 2002 West finals.

Three-Peat

The Lakers finished a sweep of New Jersey with a 113-107 Game 4 win (Shaq: 34 points, 10 rebounds). That made Shaq the only player besides Michael Jordan with three straight Finals MVPs. His 145 points set a record for a four-game Finals, passing Hakeem Olajuwon's 131.

All-Star MVP at Home

At Staples Center, Shaq won the 2004 All-Star MVP on his own with 24 points and 11 rebounds as the West won 136-132.

Diesel Heads to South Beach

The Lakers traded Shaq to Miami for Caron Butler, Lamar Odom, Brian Grant and draft picks. He rolled into town driving a semi, a moment the Heat recreated with a mini 18-wheeler at his 2016 jersey retirement.

MBA, Not NBA

In June 2005, Shaq picked up an MBA from the University of Phoenix at the Forum in Inglewood alongside about 2,200 other graduates. "This right here means more," he said. He has said he went for it after deal partners kept talking to his lawyers instead of him. When the school needed 15 students to hold a live class, he paid for 15 friends to earn master's degrees too.

Playing for Katrina Relief in Baton Rouge

After Hurricane Katrina, Shaq's Miami Heat and the displaced New Orleans Hornets moved a preseason game to LSU's Pete Maravich Assembly Center, his old college floor, and both teams agreed to give all proceeds to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.

“the profits of the game will go toward the rebuilding from Hurricane Katrina.”

Badge-Carrying Big Man

Shaq's interest in law enforcement goes back to his Lakers years, when he completed the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Reserve Academy and became a reserve officer with the Los Angeles Port Police. In December 2005 he was sworn in as a Miami Beach reserve officer, a volunteer post paying $1 a year. He has also served as a reserve officer in Golden Beach, Fla., and Tempe, Ariz., and was named an honorary U.S. Deputy Marshal.

Officer Shaq, $1 a Year

After a year of training, Shaq was sworn in as a Miami Beach reserve police officer at a quiet ceremony. The volunteer post paid $1 a year, and he said he was most interested in the special victims unit's work to stop crimes against children. He had served as a reserve officer in Los Angeles before.

Ring No. 4

Miami won Game 6 in Dallas 95-92 to take the 2006 Finals 4-2. Shaq had 9 points and 12 rebounds in the clincher and won his fourth championship, with Dwyane Wade as Finals MVP. Pat Riley: 'We would not have won the championship in 2006 without the efforts of Shaquille O'Neal.'

Shaq Joins the Suns

In a midseason blockbuster, first-year Suns GM Steve Kerr sent Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks to Miami for Shaq.

A Wish to Dunk on The Diesel

Through Make-A-Wish and ESPN's 'My Wish' series, Shaq (then with the Phoenix Suns) met 9-year-old Alexander Williams of Mobile, Alabama, who was battling leukemia. He helped Alexander live out his dream of dunking on his favorite player.

All-Star Co-MVPs: Shaq and Kobe

In his new home arena in Phoenix, Shaq scored 17 points in under 11 minutes on 8-of-9 shooting and shared All-Star MVP with former Lakers teammate Kobe Bryant. It was his third All-Star MVP.

Cleveland Comes Calling

The Cavaliers acquired Shaq from Phoenix for Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic, a 2010 second-round pick and cash, teaming him with LeBron James. 'It is a really unique and rare opportunity to bring in a player of Shaq's caliber,' said GM Danny Ferry.

Mama Shaq Writes Her Story

Lucille O'Neal told her own story in the 2010 memoir "Walk Like You Have Somewhere to Go: My Journey from Mental Welfare to Mental Health," written with Allison Samuels. It covers life as an unwed teenage mother and the struggles that followed. She went back to school too, earning a business degree from Bethune-Cookman in 2003 and a master's from the University of Phoenix in 2005, the same year as her son's MBA. "It took 30 years, but I never lost thirst for learning."

One Last Ride in Green

Shaq signed a two-year deal with the Boston Celtics and wore No. 36, his sixth NBA team.

The Final Bow

Slowed by a right Achilles injury, Shaq played his last NBA minutes, about three and a half of them, in Boston's Game 4 overtime loss to Miami in the 2011 East semifinals.

'We Did It. 19 Years, Baby.'

Shaq announced his retirement through a short video on Tout, linked from Twitter with the tweet 'im retiring.' In the clip he said: 'We did it. Nineteen years baby. I want to thank you very much, that's why I'm telling you first, I'm about to retire.' He retired fifth on the all-time scoring list with 28,596 points.

Full Circle in Orlando

Two days later, Shaq made it official at a news conference in the personal gym of his home in the Orlando suburbs, back in the city where his pro career started 19 years earlier.

Shaq Joins Inside the NBA

Right after his playing career ended, Shaq signed with Turner Sports on July 14, 2011 as a full-time analyst on TNT's Inside the NBA, alongside Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley. The deal also included a development agreement with Turner's entertainment and animation networks.

900 Pounds of Bronze Shaq

LSU unveiled a 900-pound, life-size bronze statue of a young Shaq dunking in his Tigers uniform outside the basketball practice facility on the north end of the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. He pulled the cover off with his mom Lucille, coach Trent Johnson, and Dale Brown beside him and said, "This right here will probably be in the top two moments of my life."

Call Him Dr. O'Neal

On May 5, 2012, Shaq earned a doctorate in education from Barry University's Adrian Dominican School of Education in Organizational Learning and Leadership, specializing in Human Resource Development. He finished 54 credits with a 3.813 GPA over about four and a half years. His capstone project was titled "How Leaders Utilize Humor or Seriousness in Leadership Styles." "This is for my mother, who always stressed the importance of education," he said.

NBA Team Owner

In 2013 Shaq bought a minority stake in the Sacramento Kings. He sold it in January 2022 because NBA rules required it for a new business venture, writing, “I hope to be back someday.”

Farewell to Sarge

Phillip Arthur Harrison died on Sept. 10, 2013, after nearly a decade of diabetes, hypertension, and other health problems. Shaq honored him in his 1994 song "Biological Didn't Bother" and keeps his trophies in "The Phillip Arthur Harrison Memorial Room."

Hall of Fame, Twice Over

LSU put Shaq in its Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000 and named him to its All-Century Team in 2009. On Nov. 23, 2014, he entered the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in Kansas City alongside the man who found him on an Army base, Dale Brown. "I'm most excited to be here next to the guy who gave me the opportunity," Shaq said.

DJ Diesel Takes the Decks

Shaq caught the EDM bug at a festival in 2014. He made his official DJ Diesel debut at TomorrowWorld in Georgia in September 2015, after taking some festival-booth tips from The Chainsmokers. By July 2016 he was spinning at Tomorrowland in Belgium.

"I Don't Hate You"

After decades apart, Shaq sat down with his biological father, Joe Toney, at Vonda's Kitchen in Newark. "I don't hate you," he told him. "I had a good life. I had Phil."

Big Chicken Hatches in Vegas

Shaq opened the first Big Chicken in Las Vegas in October 2018, serving the comfort food he grew up on: crispy chicken sandwiches, tenders and Cheez-It-crusted mac n' cheese. He founded it with JRS Hospitality and Authentic Brands Group, and the chain began franchising in 2021. It has since opened in arenas and on Carnival cruise ships.

Papa John's Board Member and Franchisee

In March 2019 Shaq joined Papa John's board of directors, invested in nine Atlanta-area restaurants and became a face of the brand, which later added the Shaq-a-Roni pizza. He left the board after five years in 2024 but continued as brand ambassador and as operator of those nine restaurants.

The Shaquille O'Neal Foundation Is Born

Shaq turned decades of giving into a formal 501(c)(3), The Shaquille O'Neal Foundation, whose mission is to create pathways for underserved youth to help them achieve their full potential. It focuses mainly on Atlanta and Las Vegas and works through two organizations close to Shaq's heart: Boys & Girls Clubs and Communities In Schools. Its signature programs include Shaq-a-Claus and Shaq-to-School.

Lollapalooza Mosh-Pit Master

Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell gave DJ Diesel a slot on Perry's stage in Chicago in 2019, and the set opened with fire, smoke and one of the weekend's biggest mosh pits. When he returned in August 2023, Shaq said he played to more than 100,000 people and called it “a championship game and a parade all in one.”

Big Brother Shaq

Shaq grew up as the oldest of four, with siblings LaTeefah, Ayesha, and Jamal. Jamal later played a season of basketball at LSU too. Ayesha Harrison-Jex died of cancer on Oct. 24, 2019, at age 40, after a three-year fight.

Six Kids, Two More Tigers

Shaq is a dad of six: Taahirah (born 1996, with former girlfriend Arnetta Yardbourgh); Myles, Shaunie's son, who took the O'Neal name; and Shareef, Amirah, Shaqir, and Me'arah, his four children with ex-wife Shaunie. In April 2020, Shareef (transferring from UCLA) and Amirah both signed with LSU.

A Boys & Girls Club with His Name on It

The foundation's first big project was a $1 million commitment to open the Shaquille O'Neal Boys & Girls Club of Henry County in McDonough, Georgia. It was the county's first Club, built inside the renovated former Henry County Middle School to serve up to 200 kids and teens a day.

“Upon starting my Foundation, this Club became our first priority.”

President of Reebok Basketball

On Oct. 12, 2023, Reebok named Shaq the first-ever president of Reebok Basketball, with Allen Iverson as vice president, to lead the brand's return to performance basketball. Shaq's statement: “We're back, baby! Get ready.”

Orlando Retires No. 32, a Franchise First

On Feb. 13, 2024, the Orlando Magic retired Shaq's No. 32, the first number the franchise had ever retired. It joins his No. 34 with the Lakers and No. 32 with the Heat. “There's no other place I would have wanted to start my career,” he said.

Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year

The Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville named Shaq its 2024 Humanitarian of the Year at the 11th annual Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards. The center cited the millions he has raised for charity, his work with Boys & Girls Clubs and Communities In Schools, and his foundation's mission for underserved youth.

“By nurturing and empowering young people, we honor Muhammad Ali's legacy.”

General Manager, Sacramento State

In April 2025 Shaq agreed to a voluntary role as general manager of Sacramento State's men's basketball program, joining new head coach Mike Bibby's staff. His son Shaqir transferred to the program the same spring. Reports said he would focus on recruiting, marketing and player development.

Breaking Ground on a $24M Youth Complex

On five acres donated by Clark County, the foundation broke ground on the Shaquille O'Neal Youth Complex in Las Vegas. The $24 million campus includes a 30,000-square-foot Boys & Girls Clubs clubhouse, the nation's first Communities In Schools Alumni Center, a UFC-themed boxing and MMA center, and a Raiders-sponsored multi-sports field. By April 2026, the project was at the halfway point, with completion expected in late 2026 and an opening in early 2027.

“This project shows what can happen when a community comes together with purpose.”

Inside the NBA's New Home: ESPN and ABC

When TNT lost its NBA rights, a November 2024 settlement licensed Inside the NBA to ESPN and ABC, with TNT Sports still producing it in Atlanta. The crew signed off from TNT after 35 seasons on May 31, 2025 and debuted on ESPN on Oct. 22, 2025. The show returns for 2026–27 with 25 regular-season appearances starting Oct. 21, 2026.

Chief of Community Relations

Henry County, Ga. Sheriff Reginald Scandrett named Shaq director of community relations in 2021, then promoted him to Chief of Community Relations on Christmas Day 2025, live on ESPN's NBA Tip-Off. The sheriff credited the work with about 370 events, 42,000 people reached and more than 14,000 children fed.

Commissioner of DUNKMAN

Shaq, Authentic Brands Group and TNT Sports launched DUNKMAN, a professional dunking league with Shaq as commissioner. The first season had 24 dunkers, four group-stage events, Olympic-style judging and a $500,000 prize. It started July 21, 2026, with the World Championship scheduled for Aug. 25 and three-time Slam Dunk champ Mac McClung on the roster.

Back on the PMAC Floor, Master's in Hand

On May 16, 2026, Shaq received a Master of Liberal Arts from LSU's College of Humanities & Social Sciences, his second master's degree, and gave the commencement address in the arena where he once dominated. His thesis looked at mentoring athletes through Homer's "The Odyssey," and his message to the class was "Continue to be kind. Continue to be humble."

Inside the NBA's First NBA Finals

In June 2026 Inside the NBA covered the NBA Finals for the first time, calling Spurs vs. Knicks on ABC and ESPN. The Game 3 pregame show drew 10 million viewers, its most-watched edition ever. Front Office Sports named Shaq one of the Finals' early winners.

Honorary FBI Special Agent

At the graduation of FBI National Academy Session 299 in Quantico, Va., FBI Director Kash Patel named Shaq an honorary FBI Special Agent and called him “one of the best supporters of law enforcement in the country.” Shaq was recognized alongside 265 law enforcement officials.