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NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal might have a net worth of more than $570million, but that doesn’t mean he’s ever had a ‘real job’ or will give any of his six children free handouts.
The 50-year-old former Lakers star has sparked a frenzy since touching down in Australia earlier this week, but ‘Shaq’ isn’t here to party and rake in the dollars – he’s sharing who he really is behind the exuberant personality.
O’Neal has amassed considerable wealth since retiring from his storied NBA career, which netted him more than $420million in earnings – but it didn’t wasn’t of any use to him when it came to helping his son with the most basic of tasks.
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neill is enjoying some time in Australia, and opening up on everything from his parenting style to who his favourite Aussie players are
‘I’ve never had a real job in my life,’ O’Neal explained on Channel 7’s Sunrise.
‘I remember when I was helping my son fill out his resume, I had to call somebody because I was embarrassed that I couldn’t do it.’
O’Neal has six children, all of whom appear to be very high achievers: Shareef, Shaqir, Myles, Taahirah, Me’arah and Amirah.
Shaquille O’Neal with ex-wife Shaunie and children Amirah, Shareef and Shaqir
Shareef O’Neal, 22, pictured playing for the LA Lakers in the NBA Summer League on July 10, is forging a promising basketball career
Shareef is the most high-profile of the sextet, with the 22-year-old currently playing for the LA Lakers in the NBA’s Summer League after a strong college career for LSU and UCLA.
Shaqir, Amirah and Me’arah are also beginning to forge successful basketball careers.
You’d think that would make a four-time NBA champ and 15-time All Star like O’Neal happy.
Nope.
Shaquille O’Neal (left) with son Shareef, who is following in his father’s giant footsteps at the LA Lakers
O’Neal said he’d prefer it if they followed a different vocation – and revealed there is no way they are getting their hands on his wealth without putting in some hard work.
‘In order to get my cheese, you have to present me with two degrees,’ O’Neal said.
‘I just keep them motivated, I’m teaching about generational wealth right now. I tell them all the time we don’t need another NBA player in the house.
‘If you want to play, I can help you get there; but I would rather see a doctor, dentist, hedge fund guy, a veterinarian, or a world traveller,’ said O’Neal.
O’Neal has a strict rule when it comes to his kids and money: either they excel academically or they don’t benefit from his huge fortune
Shaquille O’Neal (right) with the late Kobe Bryant, with O’Neal holding his MVP trophy and Bryant holding the 2000 NBA Championship trophy
The 216cm, 147kg superstar who played 1207 NBA games and may lay claim to being the best centre of all-time could be forgiven for showering praise over the incredible players he played with like the late Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson.
But he is a big fan of Aussie basketballers – and one in particular.
‘My favourite player out of Australia is little Shane [Heal],’ O’Neal laughed.
Heal was on the Boomers national team that went up against America’s Dream Team in an infamous exhibition match before the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, which saw the underdog Aussies refuse to back down.
Aussie basketball legend Shane Heal is O’Neal’s favourite Aussie basketball player
O’Neal and teammate Charles Barkley were doing their best to stand up to the physical Aussie side, led by attack dog Heal.
Despite conceding more than 30cm in height to the pair, Heal squared up to both, with O’Neal telling him on one occasion: ‘You come back in here and I’ll break your arm.’
Shane Heal with daughter Shyla, who is also a star basketball player
That’s where the O’Neal’s love affair with Aussie battlers began.
‘I tried to hurt him but he just kept coming back; and that just tells me Australian players have heart,’ O’Neal said of the 1996 encounter.
The NBA legend is set to continue his speaking tour in between some appearances on the decks as his alter ego, DJ Diesel.