?I Was 6?9 ? 6?10? Definitely Wasn?t Going to College?: Millionaire Dr. Shaquille O?Neal Tried to Act Oversmart and Earned Himself a Scholarship at Age 13

NBA legend Shaquille O?Neal was one of the most dominant players ever. Over the course of his career, he has won almost every accolade there is to win at the highest level. However, there was a time when the Big Diesel was not very good at basketball. In fact, the Los Angeles Lakers legend was so bad during his high school years that even he was convinced that he was never going to get any college offers. Despite this belief, he landed a college scholarship when he was just 13, thanks to a wild idea that ended up backfiring.

O’Neal’s father, Phillip A. Harrison, was a drill sergeant. So their family had to travel quite a bit. When Shaq was 13, the family had to move to Germany because of Harrison’s work. This is where he received his first college offer.

Shaquille O?Neal used a “big word”

Shaquille O?Neal was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016. During his enshrinement speech, O’Neal revealed the story of receiving a college scholarship offer when he was just 13. He recounted that during the family’s time in Germany one day, his father came home and informed him that a college coach has come to the base. Phillip A. Harrison told Shaq that this is his shot at a college scholarship. However, O’Neal wanted to look smart in front of the college coach.

He recounted, “I was 6’9-6’10”, couldn’t play. Definitely wasn’t going to college. But before I go up there, I’m like, ‘I’m talking to a college coach. Let me go in this dictionary and pull out a big word so I’ll look smart.’ So the word I chose was extremities.”?

Shaq added, “He gets done with the speech and I go upto him. I said, ‘Coach, hi my name is Shaquille O’Neal, sir. Can you send me a program to strengthen my lower extremities?'”

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Coach Dale Brown thought O’Neal was in the army and was shocked to find out he was just 13 at the time. He then offered him a scholarship right there understanding the huge potential.

Coach Dale Brown

Dale Brown was the head coach of LSU at the time, under whom Shaq ended up playing a few years later. The four-time champion recounted the story while thanking coach Brown during his Hall of Fame enshrinement speech.

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Coming out of high school, Shaq was not the same 13-year-old kid anymore. He was a high school superstar destined for greatness. And offers from colleges poured in. However, he wanted to honor his deal with Brown several years ago and joined LSU. Coach Brown also played a huge role in the development of O’Neal and shaped him for the NBA.