via Reuters
Formula One F1 – United States Grand Prix – Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas, U.S. – October 24, 2021 American former professional basketball player Shaquille O’Neal is seen on the grid before the start of the race Pool via REUTERS/Darron Cummings
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – United States Grand Prix – Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas, U.S. – October 24, 2021 American former professional basketball player Shaquille O’Neal is seen on the grid before the start of the race Pool via REUTERS/Darron Cummings
Shaquille O’Neal recently visited Australia for a very special purpose. It is not the first time that an NBA player has gone to Australia. In fact, Australia is almost like a second home for the NBA. NBA Australia is a separate league for the Oceania sub-continent region. It consists of ten teams, nine in Australia and one in New Zealand. LaMelo Ball was in the news for choosing to go and play for the Illawarra Hawks instead of playing college basketball. Shaq, however, did not visit Australia for anything related to the NBA or basketball.
Shaq loves Australia and its people. He approached Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to take part in a press conference. The presser was in place to discuss the government’s Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum. Moreover, O’Neal felt that he believed in the cause and wanted to offer his support. He was later clicked with the Prime Minister, and the height difference between the two was tough to ignore.
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Shaquille O’Neal is 7’1” and very muscular in his physique. An imposing and towering athlete like that standing next to Prime Minister Albanese, who is reportedly 5’9”, was quite the sight.
Shaquille O’Neal pays a visit to Australia
According to the Prime Minister of Australia, the reason that 7’1” Shaquille O’Neal was at the press conference was that he was interested in the country and his people.
Not every day you get to shake hands with NBA legend @SHAQ.
The 4x NBA champion discussed his charity work, basketball & his interest in the First Nations Voice.
I hope he enjoys the Bunnies jersey, & the killer boomerang handmade by 25 year old Wiradjuri artist Josh Evans. pic.twitter.com/sBqWczV9DG
— Linda Burney MP (@LindaBurneyMP) August 27, 2022
Prime Minister Albanese said,” He knows that we are a warm and generous people, and he wanted to inform himself about what this debate was about by engaging directly with the Minister for Indigenous Affairs and myself as the Prime Minister.”
The picture that was captured will probably be one of the more hilarious ones Shaq has been a part of. Amidst the ambiguity of his visit, the 7-ft Los Angeles Lakers star standing next to the 5’9″ Australian Prime Minister and making him look considerably smaller is a sight that fans back home in the US are perhaps far more used to seeing.
Shaq shares his opinions on Australia
Shaq undoubtedly loves Australia. He tweeted out that he is in Australia by referring to it as the, “land down under”.
I’m here in the land down undaa
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) August 23, 2022
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Shaq said, “I’m here in your country; whatever you need from me, just let me know,”
WATCH THIS STORY: 3 Times 395 Pound NBA Giant Shaquille ONeal Scared The Life Out Of Fans By Diving Head First Into The Crowd
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O’Neal was evidently excited to show his support and create a community across borders. He offered to help like the generous person that he is.
What do you think about Shaq’s overseas trip? Let us know in the comments below.
