Shaquille O’Neal

Shaquille O'Neal is a retired American professional basketball player who is currently an analyst on the television program Inside the NBA. Standing 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) tall, Shaq was one of the most dominant centers in the league throughout his 19-year NBA career. O'Neal holds both an MBA and an Ed.D. in Human Resource Development.

Following his career at Louisiana State University, O'Neal was drafted by the Orlando Magic with the first overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft. He quickly became one of the best centers in the league, winning Rookie of the Year in 1992–93 and later leading his team to the 1995 NBA Finals. After four years with the Magic, O'Neal signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers. They won three consecutive championships in 2000, 2001, and 2002. He was traded to the Miami Heat in 2004; his fourth NBA championship followed in 2006. O'Neal also played for the Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Boston Celtics before retiring.

O'Neal's individual accolades include the 1999–2000 MVP award, the 1992–93 NBA Rookie of the Year award, 15 All-Star game selections, three All-Star Game MVP awards, three Finals MVP awards, two scoring titles, 14 All-NBA team selections, and three NBA All-Defensive Team selections. He is one of only three players to win NBA MVP, All-Star game MVP and Finals MVP awards in the same year (2000); the other players are Willis Reed in 1970 and Michael Jordan in 1996and 1998. He ranks 6th all-time in points scored, 5th in field goals, 13th in rebounds, 7th in blocks, and 3rd in field goal percentage.

In addition to his basketball career, O'Neal has released four rap albums and appeared in numerous films, plus his own reality shows, Shaq's Big Challenge and Shaq Vs.

O'Neal will be eligible for induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017.