How often have you found yourself admiring Shaquille O’Neal’s style? Sure, his achievements on the court are legendary, but the way he carries himself off the court—especially at official events—deserves its own spotlight. Just take a look at his recent appearance in Las Vegas. That black and golden suit he wore for the NBA cup and the Inside the NBA special segment? Pure class. The man looked like he owned the room, and let’s be honest—he probably did.

But here’s what makes Shaq O’Neal’s polished style even more interesting—almost every suit he has worn recently, from sleek tuxedos to custom hoodies, come from a single brand—Noelle BaJour. It’s the 16-year-old fashion powerhouse you have probably never heard of. But it has been quietly dressing one of the biggest personalities in sports.

Noelle BaJour was founded in 2008 by designer Noelle Monares. Before she built her brand, Noelle had already been creating custom clothing for top clients since 2001. Honing her craft at a luxury clothing brand named Elevee Custom Clothing. She started Noelle BaJour (originally called Styles by Noelle) with one guiding belief — “If you look good, you feel good”. And for athletes, she added a fitting twist: “If you look good, you play good.”

Apart from the LA Lakers legend, Monares has also styled former the likes of former NBA star Joel Anthony and former NFL star DeShaun Foster. So, it’s easy to see why Shaq trusts her. Seemingly, yet another reason is that Noelle’s approach isn’t just about the clothes; it’s about transforming her clients’ image and boosting their confidence. As she puts it, “Everything is about the client.” Whether it’s a high-stakes TV appearance, a podcast episode, or a red-carpet moment, Noelle makes sure her designs fit not just Shaq’s frame (no small task for someone 7’1″) but also his larger-than-life personality.

What makes this brand so special is its commitment to style and individuality. Noelle doesn’t just make clothes—she tells a story with every stitch. And when it comes to Shaquille O’Neal, there’s no room for average. The man is a 4x NBA champion, a Hall of Famer, and an entertainer at heart. He deserves suits as bold and unforgettable as he is.

So let’s talk about the iconic pieces she’s created for him. Remember the all-black hoodie and sweats from Shaq’s podcast episode with Allen Iverson? The one with “HOF 2016,” “Shaq,” and his Dunkman logo printed in gleaming gold? That’s Noelle BaJour. Or how about that jaw-dropping black suit Shaq wore in Dubai while posing alongside Scoop Johnson and Derrick Mallet? Yep, also her work. If you’ve caught Shaq on Inside the NBA, looking sharp and tailored to perfection, again, chances are he’s wearing Noelle BaJour.

However, it’s not as if the former NBA star always relied on the expertise of this lesser known brand for his outfits.

The time when Shaquille O’Neal wore a suit he could not afford

Imagine this—you’re Shaquille O’Neal, the most dominant college basketball player in the country. You’re about to step onto the biggest stage of your life—the 1992 NBA Draft. Cameras are flashing, everyone’s watching, and your name is about to be called as the No. 1 overall pick.

But here’s the catch—you don’t even have $2,000 to your name, let alone the money to buy a suit worthy of the moment. Sounds hard to believe, right? Well, that was Shaq’s reality just months before he signed his first NBA contract. Before raking in $3 million in his rookie season with the Orlando Magic and eventually earning over $500 million across his career, Shaq was, in his words, “broke.”

Speaking to PEOPLE, he revealed how he pulled off looking sharp that day. “I just went to a suit store and got a suit on consignment,” he said. “The suit was $1,500. I didn’t have $1,500 at the time.” Now, if you’re wondering how that worked out—here’s where a bit of kindness and belief in Shaq’s potential came in. The store owner, from what Shaq remembers as Rochester’s Big and Tall, looked him in the eye and said, “Shaq, you’re nice. You’re a gentleman. I know you’re going to do big things. Just pay me when you can.”

Not only did the man give him one suit—he gave him two, worth a total of $3,000. Of course, Shaq being Shaq, there was a little debate about style. He wanted a muddy green suit (classic Shaq choice), but his mom shut that down quick. “Off aquatic ocean green,” was her final verdict, paired with a white dress shirt, maroon tie, and a white pocket square. And, as usual, mom was right—Shaq looked sharp and ready for greatness.

That suit turned out to be symbolic of Shaq’s journey. He stepped onto that draft stage with nothing but potential and a bit of help from a stranger. Fast forward to today, and he’s not only one of the greatest NBA players of all time—a 15x All-Star and 4x NBA champion—but also a businessman, investor, and successful TV personality.

Seemingly, the kindness that Shaquille O’Neal once received could be the reason that the ex-Lakers star showed his faith in a lesser known brand to style him almost every single time.