Early Life
When & where was Shaquille O’Neal born?
Shaquille was born on March 6, 1972, in Newark, New Jersey.
Which university did Shaquille attend and earn a degree from?
Shaquille attended and earned a degree from Louisiana State University.
When did Shaq enter the NBA draft?
Shaq entered the NBA draft in 1992 and was taken by the Orlando Magic.
During his college years, who wrote to Shaq to motivate him to keep working hard?
A college coach, Coach Brown, wrote to Shaquille to keep working hard.
Name at least 2 NBA teams Shaq played for in his career.
Some teams include Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns
Who was Shaquille heavily disciplined by?
Shaquille was heavily disciplined by his stepfather, Philip Harrison, who also taught him how to play basketball.
Why was Shaquille cut from the basketball team at Fulda High school?
In his ninth grade, Shaquille was cut from the basketball team at Fulda High school because he was too slow and clumsy. This gave him the determination to get better at the game.
What award was Shaq named during the 1992-1993 NBA year?
Shaq was named Rookie of the Year.
What did Shaq realize about the game around his high school years?
Shaq realized that later on, he won’t be able to simply carry the team on his shoulders; he’ll have to work with his teammates as a team to win his games.
How many championships did Shaq win?
Shaq won 4 championships.
Who taught Shaquille how to play basketball?
Shaquille's stepfather, Phil Harrison, taught Shaq how to play basketball.
What award did Shaquille earn in 1991?
Shaquille earned the College Player of the Year award in 1991.
When did Shaq win his first championship?
Shaq won his first championship in 2001.
Which Lakers coach helped guide Shaq to be the best player he can be?
Phil Jackson helped guide Shaquille to be the best player he can be.
How tall is Shaq?
Shaq is 7 feet and 1 inch tall
Where did Shaquille move to when he was ten years old?
When Shaquille was only ten years old, he had to move to Georgia due to Phil Harrison being transferred by the army, having Shaquille lose all of his friends from New Jersey.
How did Shaquille’s fame begin to grow?
Every time Cole, Shaquille’s basketball team, had a game, fans from San Antonia would come to watch him play, and would especially come to watch him dunk the ball.
To which team was Shaq traded to after his involvement with the Lakers?
The Lakers traded Shaq to the Miami Heat in 2004.
With Shaq’s new coach, what happened with Shaq?
Shaq’s game statistics increased, and the peak of his career was realized.
What was Shaq inducted into in 2016?
Shaq was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.
What would Shaquille's mother do in response to Shaq's stepfather's (Phil Harrison) harsh punishments on Shaquille?
Shaquille’s mother cared a lot about Shaquille, and she would lift the punishments Phil would impose on Shaquille because she knew that she couldn't be mad at her son forever.
In which high school basketball games was Shaquille known as a "star"?
At both the Dapper Dan Roundball Classic and the McDonald’s All American Game, Shaquille was seen as as star.
Who became Shaq’s new coach when the Lakers’ management team fired their old coach?
Phil Jackson became Shaq’s new coach.
How did Phil Jackson help Shaq become a better player?
Phil Jackson helped Shaq become a better player by leading him in being a team player, and as a result, led the Lakers to win 3 championships.
What was Shaq’s weakness?
Shaq’s weakness was his free-throw ability.