NBA Legend Shaquille O?Neal?s Education: Does He Have a Ph.D.?

Shaquille O?Neal wanted to take his talents to the NBA after a brief stint with LSU. However, his parents Phillip A. Harrison and Lucille O’Neal advised him to continue school. Unwillingly, Shaq obliged. However, three years into college, coach Dale Brown was tired of all the hard fouls that were allowed on the towering center. Brown was worried that Shaq could potentially suffer a serious injury that could hamper his NBA career. So he himself convinced his parents to allow him to declare for the NBA draft before graduating.

O?Neal declared for the 1992 NBA draft with a promise to his parents that he would come back and finish his degree. The Orlando Magic selected him as the first overall pick. Subsequently, there was no stopping the powerhouse, who went on to achieve almost everything there is to achieve in the league. However, Shaq’s parents still wanted their son to keep his promise and complete his education.

Shaquille O’Neal is highly qualified outside the basketball world

Shaquille O’Neal is arguably one of the best basketball players ever. However, he is much more than just a basketball legend. Shaq is a certified polymath and highly qualified outside of the basketball world as well. He can do it all, from making music and starring in movies to building successful businesses. Furthermore, he was a smart entrepreneur from the very start of his career. Amidst his success in the league, O’Neal was winning off the court as well.

Shaq was one of the most popular athletes in the world and it earned him major endorsements. However, he soon realized that he could earn much more via partnerships. So the Big Aristotle joined hands with major brands instead of just endorsing them. This helped him build his massive business empire.

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However, it did not come easy. The Los Angeles Lakers legend had to spend many sleepless nights studying to be where he is now. Even though he was a superstar in the league, he did not forget his promise to his parents. So he worked hard to graduate and educate himself aptly. However, Shaq did not stop after getting his first degree. His motivation to learn more only increased from there on.

Being a good businessman, Shaquille O’Neal has invested a lot in his education

Shaquille O’Neal was curious about business from a very early stage in his NBA career. He learned things with experience, making mistakes here and there. However, he made sure to not make the same mistake twice. Furthermore, he surrounded himself with brilliant minds and did not hesitate to ask questions about entrepreneurship. Now, he has over 172 restaurants and 150 car washes that add to his impressive net worth.

The Hall of Famer understood the importance of education as a good businessman. However, he had to learn it the hard way. Even though his associates respected him, they did not think he would understand the details being discussed in business meetings. So whenever they discussed business, they did it by themselves. Shaq was not happy with the way he was treated in meetings.

The four-time NBA champion thought his lack of education in business was the reason behind it. So he wanted to be in charge and decided to educate himself further and hence, invested a lot of his time and money in education.

Shaquille O’Neal’s education is one of his biggest achievements in life

Over the course of his NBA career, Shaquille O’Neal has won almost every accolade there is to win. After losing the Finals playing for the Orlando Magic, Shaq could not wait to win his first-ever title. However, he had to bide his time even after joining the Lakers. O’Neal and the Lakers fell short in the playoffs multiple times. Shaq received major criticism from analysts and fans because of his inability to deliver chips despite his massive contract. However, he vouched to win it all and decided to do whatever it took.

When Shaq found head coach Phil Jackson was available, he let the management know his desire to play under Jackson. Furthermore, he met Jackson to convince him to join the team. The legendary head coach had some conditions for O’Neal regarding his training regimen, which he obliged. Then there was no stopping the Lakers. They went on to win three straight titles from 2000 to 03 despite Shaq and Kobe Bryant’s internal feud.

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Shaq won the NBA MVP award in 2000 en route to his first NBA ring. Additionally, he won the Finals MVP award on all three occasions. Other than Shaq, only Michael Jordan has done that. After leaving LA in 2004, the Big Diesel won another title with the Miami Heat in 2006. He has also won the All-Star Game MVP thrice while playing in 15 editions. He was eventually inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016. Even though O’Neal has won almost everything in the NBA, his education will still be considered one of his biggest achievements, mostly because of the importance he ascribes to it.

Complete details on Shaquille O’Neal’s educational background

Eight years after leaving LSU, Shaquille O’Neal went back and kept his promise by earning his B.A. degree in general studies. His parents could not be more proud. However, he was just getting started. The 15-time NBA All-Star reached out to the University of Phoenix to join the MBA program. But the university only offered online courses. However, Shaq wanted to attend classes. The management said that it needs more students who are willing to attend physical classes to make it happen.

So O’Neal enrolled 15 of his associates and paid for them as well. In 2005, the 2000 NBA MVP earned his MBA from the University of Phoenix. But his mother’s tears of joy pushed him to do more. Lucille O’Neal suggested that it would be nice to have a doctor in the family.

So Shaq began his work to earn a doctorate in education in 2010. According to a report from ESPN, O’Neal received his Ed.D. in Human Resource Development from Barry University in 2012. Contrary to popular belief, Shaq does not have a Ph.D. However, Dr. Shaquille O’Neal earned his doctorate, just like his mother desired.