Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal known commonly as Shaq is an American former professional basketball player who is a sports analyst on the television program Inside the NBA. O'Neal is also known for his rap career.
Born in Newark, New Jersey, is a retired professional basketball player, actor, and sports analyst. Standing at an imposing 7 feet 1 inch tall and weighing over 300 pounds, Shaq, as he is affectionately known, became one of the most dominant and recognizable figures in the history of the NBA.
Raised in Newark and later in San Antonio, Texas, O'Neal's extraordinary athleticism became evident from a young age. He attended Louisiana State University (LSU), where he played basketball for the LSU Tigers and quickly established himself as one of the top collegiate players in the country.
In 1992, O'Neal declared for the NBA Draft and was selected as the first overall pick by the Orlando Magic. From the moment he stepped onto the NBA court, Shaq's impact was immediate. With his combination of size, strength, and agility, he quickly established himself as one of the most dominant centers in the league, earning Rookie of the Year honors in his debut season.
Over the course of his illustrious 19-year NBA career, O'Neal played for six teams, including the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Boston Celtics. He won four NBA championships, three with the Los Angeles Lakers alongside Kobe Bryant and one with the Miami Heat.
In addition to his success on the court, Shaq became known for his larger-than-life personality and off-court endeavors. He pursued a successful career in acting, appearing in films such as "Blue Chips," "Kazaam," and "Steel," as well as making numerous television appearances and hosting his own reality TV show, "Shaq Vs."
Since retiring from professional basketball in 2011, O'Neal has remained active in the world of sports as a sports analyst and commentator for various television networks, including TNT's "Inside the NBA." He has also continued to pursue business ventures and philanthropic efforts, including investments in technology, real estate, and philanthropic work through his Shaquille O'Neal Foundation.
In addition to his accomplishments on the basketball court and in the entertainment industry, Shaquille O'Neal is also known for his charismatic personality, generous spirit, and commitment to giving back to his community. He has become an iconic figure in popular culture and a beloved ambassador for the sport of basketball.
Working with Jackson[]
Shaq collaborated with Jackson on a few occasions, starting with the 1995 song from HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I, "2 Bad".
The two would be on a track together once again three years later, as along with Ice Cube, the trio recorded "We Be Ballin'", a song for a scrapped compilation album set to be released by NBA in the same year. The project never came to fruition and the collaboration was scrapped.