88 Days After O’Shea Jackson Jr.’s Special Invitation, Shaq Gives Props to Father Ice Cube for a Special Night in Atlanta

Shaquille O’Neal got a shiny new hip, lost almost 50lbs, and is aiming for an eight-pack. His goal is to get as fit as he was when he won the 2006 championship. Sure coming out of retirement won’t be so bad. A good few NBA players talk about how terrifying it would be to have Big Diesel back on the court like the days you needed at least two of your best defenders to guard him. What if you had to play 3vs3 against Shaq? It would be cruel to his opponents and entertaining for anyone watching. And if Shaq is game, Ice Cube is ready to make it happen.

The rapper’s son, O’Shea Jackson Jr. tried to prod Shaq into entering the Big 3. And it may work because O’Shea has left quite the impression on O’Neal. The originator of the Big 3 was on The Big Podcast himself and Shaq commending him for raising a wonderful son. “Cube I want to give you a shout out as a father like you’ve always been a great father but your son… I seen your son one day in Atlanta brother and he was so polite and so respectful and I I just went to I said, ‘nephew, I’m so proud of you,‘” Shaq told the rap mogul.

The dad of six recounted to the senior O’Shea that he met his son in Atlanta one time. And the first thing O’Shea Jr. did is give Uncle Shaq a “big ol’ hug.” After that, “we sat and we chopped it up.”

During their hangout, Shaq told O’Shea Jr. that he was a “classy kid” and impressed him. That led O’Neal to give his parents kudos in person.

The love is mutual. And despite Ice Cube ribbing the athlete-rapper many times, the Jacksons are huge fans of Shaq. They wouldn’t be opposed to the day O’Neal wants to return to the court too.

Shaq’s nephew wants to talk business

Much before Ice Cube came on the podcast, Shaq had spoken about the Big 3 league he started. Former NBA player and the captain of 3’s Company in the Big 3, Mario Chalmers invited Shaq to play with him and Mike Beasley in the three on three format way back in March. His marketing point was, “You ain’t got nothing to do but stay in the paint.” And it sounded very tempting to Shaq.

But Shaq didn’t have the confidence to play since having hip surgery in March 2023. Chalmers didn’t stop selling the idea when Shaq’s ‘nephew’ swooped in. “Dear @SHAQ …This definitely can happen. I know a guy.” That guy would be his dad, the big boss of the Big 3 himself. Ice Cube would also pull out all stops to have Shaq play.

O’Neal did not respond to the offer but there’s a standing invitation to the Big 3 right there. And like Chalmers said, you just need 7’1 most dominant center in NBA history, Shaq to stand there and it would be an easy win.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the Reese-Clark rivalry and more, watch this video.