NBA: Shaquille O’Neal reveals why he thinks the earth is flat

Shaquille O’Neal has revealed he is curious about the Flat Earth conspiracy theory.

The NBA legend said on Wednesday he ‘likes listening’ to pseudoscientific theories that the Earth is flat, and admitted he still ‘isn’t sure’ if the planet is really spinning.

The 50-year-old was asked about previous claims he’d made about the subject during an interview on Australian radio show Kyle and Jackie O.

He avoided calling himself a Flat Earther and insisted the debunked concept was ‘just a theory’, before saying he likes to study conspiracies purely out of curiosity. 

‘It’s a theory, it’s just a theory, they teach us a lot of things. It’s just a theory,’ said the former LA Laker, who is regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

‘I flew 20 hours today, not once did I go straight. I didn’t tip over, I didn’t go upside down. It’s just a conspiracy theory,’ he added, referencing the fact he’d just flown from the U.S. to Australia for a speaking tour.

Radio host Kyle Sandilands questioned the theory, noting how it’s possible to travel from America to Australia from two directions, either from the east or west coast.

But Shaq retorted: ‘It’s still a straight line.’

‘You know they say the world is spinning? I’ve lived on a lake for 30 years and I’ve never seen the lake move to the left or right,’ he added.

‘I like listening to them. It’s not about being wrong or right, I just like listening to them.’

It’s not the first time the globetrotting athlete has made wild claims about the Earth being flat.

He first raised the theory on an episode of The Big Podcast with Shaq in 2017. 

The Hall of Famer was discussing the idea after then Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving made a similar claim during an interview prior to the NBA’s All-Star Weekend.

Shaq charged to the defence of Irving, saying: ‘It’s true: the Earth is flat. The Earth is flat.’ 

He then referenced inaccuracies taught about Christopher Columbus in schools in an attempt to strengthen his Flat Earth theory.

‘Listen, there are three ways to manipulate the mind: what you read, what you see and what you hear,’ Shaq said.

‘In school, first thing they teach us is, “Oh, Columbus discovered America”… Columbus didn’t discover America.

‘So, listen, I drive from coast to coast, and this s**t is flat to me. Satellite imagery could be drawn and made up.

‘I’m just saying, when I drive from Florida to New York: flat. New York to Seattle: flat. Seattle down to LA: flat. LA back to Florida: flat.

‘Matter of fact, it’s a square. That’s what it is.

‘The Earth is flat. The Earth is flat… It’s right in front of our faces. I’m telling you, it’s right in front of our faces. They lie to us.’

It is unclear whether or not Shaq was serious in his scientifically incorrect statement, or if he was trolling his listeners, as he later claimed to be joking.

O’Neal attended LSU for three years before joining the NBA. In 2000, he went back to school to complete his Bachelor’s degree.

He also completed an online MBA in 2005 through the University of Phoenix.

In 2012, he graduated from Florida’s Barry University with a doctorate degree in education focusing on organizational learning and leadership. 

Elsewhere during the interview, Aussie radio host Jackie ‘O’ Henderson enjoyed a flirty encounter with the 7’1″ in superstar. 

He went out of his way to shower the mother of one with compliments, while also taking a few sly digs at her co-host Kyle. 

‘Is that the lovely Jackie O?’ he said at the start of the Zoom interview, peering through the camera at a blushing Jackie.

‘It is!’ she giggled, before Shaq replied: ‘Jackie O is worldwide.’ 

‘I love you! My favourite guest ever,’ Jackie gushed. 

Kyle then attempted to steer the conversation towards the topic of Shaq’s speaking tour, but the NBA star quickly shut him down. 

‘I don’t want to talk to you, Kyle. I only want to talk to Jackie O,’ he said. 

While in town, Shaq will perform an exclusive DJ set at The Star’s Marquee nightclub. He is also rumoured to be shooting hoops in the sports bar. 

Shaq will visit Sydney and Melbourne for a number of speaking engagements.