American retired basketball superstar, actor and rap artist, currently serving as a sports analyst on the television program Inside the NBA. His contract with the Los Angeles Lakers was the biggest deal in the history of sports, signing him for seven years at an impressive $120 million. Best known for his signature, backboard-breaking power slam, he appeared in the films “Blue Chips” and “Kazaam.”
At 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) tall and 325 pounds (147 kg), he was one of the heaviest players ever to play in the NBA, where he played for six teams throughout his 19-year career: Orlando Magic (1992–1996), Los Angeles Lakers (1996–2004), Miami Heat (2004–2008), Phoenix Suns (2008–2009), Cleveland Cavaliers (2009–2010) and Boston Celtics (2010–2011).
Shaq is the son of Lucille O’Neal and Joe Toney. When he was born, his biological father left him to be raised by municipal-worker and single-mom Lucille, along with the help of several relatives. Mom married co-worker Philip Harrison, who joined the army in 1974. Phil wanted his family, which included his own three kids, to have a better life and often worked as many as three jobs to make ends meet. As an army brat, Shaq lived on military bases in New Jersey, Georgia and West Germany by the time he was 12. Despite his adoptive father’s strict military discipline, he was a mischievous and unruly child. “People look at me now and say I was an angel child – but I was bad. Anything outside of drugs and killing someone, I’d do it. I stole. I lied. I cheated. I broke into cars to steal tapes.”
At age 13 his shenanigans ceased, when the 6’7″ recalcitrant youth discovered basketball in West Germany. Two years later Harrison was transferred to Fort Houston in San Antonio, Texas, where Shaq, in his junior year of high school, led the team to a undefeated regular season. As a high school All-American in his senior year, Shaq led his team to a state championship.
Over 100 colleges courted the giant’s talent, and he chose Louisiana State University. By his sophomore year, he won the Associated Press award as college player of the year. Junior year found him on the All-American list again. Foregoing his senior year, he declared his eligibility for the NBA draft and was signed by Orlando in 1992, giving him a three year, $41 million contract. In addition to his agility and size, he exuded a good-natured charm, making him the “most marketable colossus in NBA history” and was once described as a “cross between the Terminator and Bambi.” He gained international status as a member of the gold medal winning Dream Team II at the 1994 Olympic Games.
Nationwide headlines featured Shaq in July 1998 as he signed the record-breaking contract with Los Angeles. Weeks later he earned his second Olympic Gold Medal an Dream Team III at the 1995 Olympics.
Shaq addressed the artist within by embarking on a moderately successful career in hip hop. Parlaying his charm from the court to the world of rap, he spurned his father Joe Toney, who identified himself to Shaq, once he made the talk show circuit, in his rap song “Biological didn’t Bother.” He signed a contract for marketing and distribution with A & M Records in early 1998. Wisely, he kept his day job. The big man at the center remains unremarkable in both his presentation and his rap persona, offering the stereotypical rap subjects and delivery.
He did, however, win the Most Valuable Player award of the year on 10 May 2000, truly giving him the distinction that he earned in the 1999-2000 season. On 13 October 2000, Shaq signed a contract with the L.A. Lakers for another three years at the tune of $88.5 million bringing his career earnings up to $152 million, giving him the maximum allowable under collective bargaining.
O’Neal and the Los Angeles Lakers completed their sweep of the NBA finals on 12 June 2002, earning their third straight title by beating the New Jersey Nets, 113-107. O’Neal, 30, who scored 34 points, was named most valuable player of the finals for the third time.
Los Angeles Lakers superstar center Shaquille O’Neal, 30, married his longtime girlfriend, Shaunie Nelson, at a top-secret ceremony on 26 December 2002 at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Shaunie became the mother of four of Shaq’s children. Shaunie has a son, Myles, from a previous relationship, while O’Neal has a daughter (Taheara, born 19 July 1996) from a previous relationship with his ex-girlfriend Arnetta Yarbourgh.
The basketball great was handed two separate lawsuits in February 2004. On 5 February, in Daytona Beach, Florida, a Harley-Davidson dealership sued him claiming he had not paid for a custom-made motorcycle he had ordered, worth $130,000. On 20 February, in Los Angeles, Paramount Celebrity Management filed for $5.6 million in damages, arguing that O’Neal reneged on an agreement to participate in an event.
The sixth child and third daughter of Shaquille and Shaunie O’Neal arrived on 1 May 2006 at 4:57 AM EDT in Miami, Florida, according to People magazine online. It is interesting that the new addition to the family was born six minutes before Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant since their fathers have been basketball teammates and rivals.
After nearly five years of marriage, he filed for divorce from Shaunie on 4 September 2007. In summer 2010, O’Neal began dating reality TV star Nicole “Hoopz” Alexander. The couple resided at O’Neal’s home in Sudbury, Massachusetts, and later split in 2012.
Shaq joined the Boston Celtics in August 2010; he announced his retirement from the game on 1 June 2011.
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