Shaquille O'Neal, a Prince Hall Mason

If you love basketball, you'll know Shaquille O'Neal, nicknamed Shaq. Standing 2.16 metres tall, weighing 147 kilograms and wearing a size 63 shoe, Shaquille O'Neal is one of the heaviest and most imposing basketball players of all time, and his professional career has been one of the most remarkable. But Shaqille O'Neal is not just a basketball star : he has also made a name for himself as a singer and actor. He is also known for his charity work, particularly with young people, and for being a member of the Prince Hall African-American Freemasons. Let's find out more about this man of many talents.

Early life and career of Shaquille O'Neal

Shaquille O'Neal was born on 6 March 1972 in Newark, New Jersey. His father, a basketball player, suffered from drug addiction and was imprisoned when Shaquille was a child. When he was released from prison and divorced, he relinquished his parental rights and gave custody of his son to his ex-wife's new husband, Philipp Harrison, a sergeant in the US Army. Shaquille's upbringing was very strict and tough, and he was always grateful to his stepfather.

Philipp Harrison's military career led to the family moving to Germany. It was there, at the age of 12, that Shaquille, who was already 1.98m tall, was spotted by Dale Brown, the coach of the LSU Tigers basketball team, who suggested that the youngster join the LSU team at a later date. Shaquille returned to the United States in 1988 at the age of 16 (he was then 2.08m tall) and began playing basketball at his high school before joining the LSU Tigers in 1989, where he played until 1992.

In 1992, Shaquille began a professional career that would last until 2011. He played for the Orlando Magic (1992-1996), the Los Angeles Lakers (1996-2004), the Miami Heat (2004-2008), the Phoenix Suns (2008-2009), the Cleveland Cavaliers (2009-2010) and finally the Boston Celtics (2010-2011). On 11 June 2011, he announced his retirement from professional basketball.

Despite his imposing size and weight, Shaquille was a quick and mobile player who impressed his opponents. He has several records to his name and features prominently in various NBA player performance rankings. Aside from his performances, he also holds the record for the largest feet in the NBA, wearing a size 63 (US 22), which means his feet measure 42cm!

As well as basketball, Shaquille took up MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) and wrestling in 2000, which he practised professionally from 2016 to 2021.

Shaquille O'Neal : singer, actor and media personality 

As well as being an NBA superstar, Shaquille O'Neal is also a well-known singer and actor. And he has been interviewed and appeared on talk shows on numerous occasions.

Shaquille started writing rap music in 1992 and has released no less than six albums, and even sang on a track (2 Bad) on Michael Jackson's HIStory album (1995). He is also known as a DJ under the name DJ Diesel.

In the cinema, Shaquille O'Neal has appeared in about twenty films, and he is the second African-American to play a superhero on screen, in this case John Henry Irons, in Steel, directed by Kenneth Johnson (1997). He has also appeared in around fifteen television series.

A regular on television, Shaquille O'Neal has always made a name for himself with his humour, his jokes and his sometimes biting and caustic barbs. In 2009, he took part in a reality show called Shaq Vs, in which he competed against various athletes in their respective disciplines.

Finally, Shaquille has also entered the world of video games, of which he is a big fan : his character appears in several basketball and fighting games.

A Masonic committed personality 

The father of six and holder of a doctorate in education, Shaquille O'Neal has always been committed to helping children and young people through his involvement in numerous associations, charity galas and fundraising events. He supports the Boys And Girls Club of America, among others.

In 2011, Shaquille was initiated as a Freemason in Boston, Massachusetts, in the Widow's Sons Lodge No. 28 of the predominantly African-American Prince Hall Freemasonry, where he continues his charitable work. He had obviously become a member of the Shriners, taking part in their hospital projects for children.

A top sportsman and a man with a heart, Shaquille O'Neal puts his fame at the service of noble and selfless causes, showing that his Masonic commitment is not in vain. He can be a source of inspiration to many.