“Father Is No Longer With Us, But I Just Try”: Dropping One Big Secret, Shaquille O’Neal’s Voice Gets Heavy Recalling the Look in His Mom’s Eye

Shaquille O’Neal grew up with his fair share of hardships. He looked up to a certain someone who had it worse and found the inspiration to transform his life. Those lessons have stuck with him and he’s imparting it to his youngest fans. That, to Shaq, is his biggest wealth as he puts it. And that generous nature is owed to his mom, Lucille O’Neal. She’s the only parent he has left, and he makes it his life’s mission to give her the best. He hopes to be that kind of role model to kids, too.

Shaq met a future NBA prospect recently and he sees great things for this basketball prodigy. As long as his young friend wasn’t the menace Big Diesel claims to have been to his mother.

Shaquille O’Neal has a message for young fans

The 4-year-old basketball prodigy, Lil Mike, stole the spotlight during his appearance on ‘The Jennifer Hudson Show‘. Another little basketball personality was on the show too. He goes by Big Aristotle occasionally. Most recognize him as Shaquille O’Neal. Long before Lil Mike was born, Shaq had 19 seasons in the NBA and four championship rings. So he had some advice for this future star to get there.

“I know you want to become an NBA player but the secret is all you have to do is listen to Mommy and Daddy,” he said. He drew inspiration from his own childhood to give that advice. He’s often said he gave his parents a hard time. When he started earning a fat NBA salary, he splurged on his parents the most. He had set those goals young.

“When I was a medium juvenile delinquent not knowing what I wanted to be, and I would just come to the house and make stuff up, ‘Mom, I’m going to buy you a house one day.’ The look in her eye like she believed and she would always say ‘I know baby,”” the 4x NBA champion said.

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Shaq wants Lil Mike and other kids like him to cherish their parents and be good to them. “My father’s no longer with us but you know I just try to do everything correctly for my mother.” He seemed moved simply talking about his late father.

While his birth father wasn’t in the picture, Shaq strongly admired his stepdad, Phillip A. Harrison. The military vet was both tough and loving on him. It was his provocation that made Shaq enter the NBA draft and he goaded him to complete his education later. He passed away sometime after Shaq retired from the NBA.

While he’s not proud of his young self, Shaq has modeled himself after his parents. He prioritizes education like Harrison for his kids and also is generous like his mother.

Shaq’s mother fuels his generosity

Previously on the show, Shaq said he’s always sharing his definition of wealth with kids. Seeing his mother sacrifice things for herself to raise them, O’Neal believes real wealth is being able to give her what she deserves. He did get his mom the house she promised and much more. He spent on helping her overcome her struggles and go back to school.

At his annual charity fundraiser, The Event, he spent $20,000 for his mom to have an exclusive seat on the stage. He’d spend $50,000 more to get her a luxurious vacation. If there are any young fans who look up to Big Diesel and want to be like him, he’s made it clear. You just need to listen to your parents.

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