Lucille O’Neal, Shaquille O’Neal’s mom, maybe best known for giving the NBA world a great basketball player who changed the dynamic of the league forever. However, she is much more than just Shaq’s mother. 

During the 15th Annual Great Futures for Kids Breakfast back in 2017. The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme organized the event. The aim of the event was to raise $100,000 for running a program in Oxnard to assist with the needs of 10,400 children and their families. The event was estimated to be a great success as over 320 people attended the breakfast at the Residence Inn by Marriott Hotel. In the course of this, Lucille, Shaq’s mother, shared her life story. 

Besides the fact that she is the mother of four children, she is also the author of “Walk Like You Have Somewhere to Go.” In her remarks, she said, “We believe today that role models are very important,” she added. “However, I believe that real models are important, so I stand as a real model today.” In addition, she discussed Shaq’s contribution to her journey to where she is today and how he paid for her education, but with a condition.

She’s more than just the mother of former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal

During the event, Lucille discussed the struggles she faced during her childhood and when she became a mother. In this way, she ensured that children in the city will not experience the same struggles as she did. She discussed racial discrimination and how she teaches her students to respect everyone.

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While she was in her teenage years, being a mother was difficult. With a financial crisis, managing a family was challenging. Shaq has played a significant role and given emotional support to her journey to get here and has made whatever he can do to make the family’s future strong.

As a result of taking care of her children for a decade, she returned to school at Bethune-Cookman University to study adult education. In 2003, she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Her next step was to earn a master’s degree in organizational management at the University of Phoenix. In reply, she added: “My oldest son that got that good job… he paid for my education because it was a dream I had,” O’Neal said. “He said, ‘I’ll send you – but as long as you keep your grades up.’”

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The four-time NBA champion helped his mother get the kind of education she wanted. What do you make of her journey? Let us know in the comments!