1 Foot Shorter Than NBA Giant Shaquille O’Neal, Australian Player Earned His Respect Even After Getting Hit in the Face: “I Knew This Kid Had Some Heart”

Shaquille O’Neal, at his gargantuan stature, dominated the court like no other. Only a handful number of players could go head to head against the legendary big man. Through his sheer power, combined with excellent footwork and touch around the rim, Shaq was literally impossible to shut down in the painted area.

Despite his countless successes and accolades, Shaq’s humility is what sticks out the most. He understands his place among the NBA’s greats and is never afraid to give credit where it is due. In fact, he once showered praises on an Australian basketball legend who, interestingly, only had two brief stints in the NBA.

Shaquille O’Neal was in Australia ahead of his sold-out event “Evening with Shaquille O’Neal”. Chatting with Nick Metallinos, the big man mentioned playing against a number of Australian players, among which, “Little Shane” Shane Heal was his favorite.

Shane Heal is one of the legends of the NBL. And it was at the 1996 Olympics that Shaq first learned about the tough 6-foot point guard out of Melbourne.

Shaquille O’Neal was all praises for Shane Heal

Shane Heal had only two brief stints in the NBA. Firstly, in the 1996–97 season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and then, in the 2003–04 season with the San Antonio Spurs. However, despite his lack of opportunities in the NBA, Shaquille O’Neal lavished praise on the guard for his efforts in the 1996 Olympics.

READ MORE: Shaquille O’Neal Reveals His “Real” Ethnicity in Hilarious Reaction to Viola Davis’ New Movie

“We knew of a couple players on the team but nobody had heard of Shane Heal and he was doing work,” Shaq said. “That’s when they called me in to ‘touch him up’ ‘cause I’m the ‘touch up man.’ I tried to ball him, he ducked and came down and hit a couple threes and was talking smack and I was like, ‘This kid can play,'” he added.

When asked which Australian player, past or present, a prime Shaq would have preferred to play alongside, his response was self-evident. “Shane Heal, ‘cause he’s tough and he’s a great shooter,” he said.

Shaq then remarked on Shane Heal’s toughness and perseverance. “He’s tough ‘cause he came in the lane one game and I tried to ball him in his face and he just kept coming back and that’s when I knew this kid had some heart,” he concluded.

During the 1996 Olympics, Heal gave problems to the USA team dubbed “Dream Team II.” The Australian exploded from beyond the arc, finishing with 28 points on 8-13 shooting from the three-point line.

He even got in the face of the much bigger Charles Barkley when the NBA legend fouled him hard. Heal seemed unfazed by the size difference, showcasing his toughness.

WATCH THIS STORY: Kevin Durant vs Kobe Bryant’s first playoff duel in 2010

Shane Heal may have had brief NBA stints and not received much playing time. His exploits in Australia, however, made him a basketball legend there.