6 Fun Facts About Shaquille O’Neal (He Threw Away An Olympic Medal?!)

Lauren Novak July 17, 2024

Former Los Angeles Lakers player Shaquille O'Neal reacts to his former players seated in the audience during unveiling of his statue at Staples Center March 24, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement — Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Shaquille Rashaun O’Neal, frequently known as Shaq, is one of the most legendary basketball stars of all time. However, basketball isn’t his only passion. Turns out that he is very funny, a total mama’s boy, into business, candy, DJing and even hosting game shows! Find out more about the 52-year-old 7-foot-one man: the myth, the legend.

1He got his master’s degree and paid for 15 of his friends to do the same

Shaquille O'Neal looks on during the third quarter in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center on May 23, 2023 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement

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Shaq decided that he wanted to get his master’s degree when he noticed in business meetings that the people presenting deals would look to his lawyers and accountants instead of him. He wanted to be in charge and let everyone know that he knew what he was talking about. He decided on getting an MBA from the University of Phoenix, which is mainly an online program. He wanted to be taught in a classroom but they said that they needed at least 15 people to hire an in-person teacher. So Shaq paid for 15 of his friends to get their MBAs right alongside him and they earned their degrees in 2005. In 2012, he earned a doctorate in Education from Barry University.

2He threw away his Olympic Gold Medal

L - R, Mitch Richmond, Reggie Miller, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Shaquille O'Neal, Gary Payton and Hakeem Olajuwon of the United States Men's basketball team stand on the podium to sing the national anthem after winning the gold medal in the final game of the Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament against Yugoslavia at the XXVI Summer Olympic Games on 3rd August 1996 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. The United States won the game and tournament 95 - 69

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I don’t know about you, but I think an Olympic gold medal is something I’d hang onto forever. Shaq admitted that he tossed his out the window of a moving car in 1996 because he only played for the final two minutes during the winning game. He said, “The Olympic games, ‘96, I played throughout, helped them come back, win games. And in the gold medal game, [coach] Lenny Wilkens says, ‘Hey this is probably David Robinson’s last game, so he’s gonna get more minutes.’ I said ‘Cool.’ But he didn’t play me at all until like the last two minutes. I was so pissed off, after the ceremony, I drove home in my uniform and I threw the goddamn medal out the window on I-75.”

3He’s hosting a new game show

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Shaq has acted occasionally over the years, mainly as himself, but now he can add game show host to his resume. He is set to host the show Lucky 13 with actress Gina Rodriguez. In the show, contestants must answer 13 true-or-false trivia questions, but also must predict how successful they will be at answering questions correctly. Winners could receive $1 million. The show is set to premiere on Thursday, July 18th, 2024, at 9/8c on ABC.

4He is an international DJ and rapper

Not only is he talented in sports, but also in music. He has released five studio albums over the years and currently performs as DJ Diesel around the world. His first electronic album titled Gorilla Warfare was released last year.

5He owns a candy company and had his own soda

Shaq partnered with the Arizona Iced Tea Company in 2013 to release his own soda in large cans with flavors of Vanilla Cream, Blueberry Cream, Strawberry Cream and Orange Cream. While the sodas were discontinued in 2016, he is now on another venture to release his own candy with Hershey. He confirmed that he is releasing “Shaq A Licious XL Gummies,” which are gummies of his head with the flavors of peach, berry punch and orange. There will also be a sour version of different shapes available in green watermelon, mixed berry and pineapple. Stay tuned for when the candy is released.

6He only scored one three-pointer during his career

Shaquille O'Neal #33, Center for the Louisiana State University Fighting Tigers prepares to make a free throw during the NCAA Southeastern Conference college basketball game against the Loyola Marymount University Lions on 3rd February 1990 at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center arena in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States. The LSU Fighting Tigers won the game 103 - 94.

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This seems so crazy that I had to double-check it on several different websites! Yet, it turns out that Shaq only technically scored one three-pointer during his NBA career. He reportedly attempted 22 of them but only scored one in the 1995-96 season in a game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Which of these fun facts surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments!