What’s bigger than Shaquille O’Neal? How about Shaq as a king, ruling over one of Louisiana’s most cherished Mardi Gras traditions? The former Los Angeles Lakers star has achieved just about everything an athlete could dream of. But being considered a king? Now, that’s something special. The NBA legend was recently selected to reign over Bacchus for the 2025 Carnival season, and he couldn’t be more thrilled. Ahead of the grand Bacchus Rendezvous, the former Lakers star shared just how much this honor means to him.

“It’s an honor. I’m learning much about the tradition, and I’m just glad that they picked me,” Shaq told WWL’s Meg Farris. For someone who has always embraced the larger-than-life persona, this moment seems like a perfect fit. And what makes it even more meaningful? His deep-rooted connection to Louisiana. NO wonder that Shaquille O’Neal made it clear—this isn’t just another accolade; it’s personal.

“People have always been very hospitable,” he told Farris, reflecting on his love for the state. And that love is mutual. Yep, Louisiana played a huge role in shaping the Shaq we all know today. His family has roots in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Lafayette, making this crowning moment even more special. It’s no surprise that his loved ones will be right there in the crowd at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, cheering him on.

But, of course, it wouldn’t have been a Shaq celebration without some extra flair. This year’s Bacchus parade was set to be bigger than ever, with 250 different kinds of throws—valued at over $3 million—set to fly through the air. But here’s the real highlight: Shaq basketballs.

“This year, Shaquille O’Neal will be throwing Shaq basketballs,” Bacchus Krewe member George Schiaffino had revealed. “There will be a limited quantity of these coming off the king’s float. You’re going to have to catch from Shaq himself.”

If you’ve ever wanted to catch a pass from Shaq, this might be your best shot—literally.

Now, with every king comes a throne, but Shaq’s presence required some major adjustments. At 7-foot-1 and 325 pounds, he’s not exactly built for the standard Bacchus seat. The krewe had to make some changes.

“We’re going to lower the throne by approximately four feet, and then we’re bringing in a new throne. Barry Kern and his crew at Mardi Gras World have built a new throne that we’re going to use for Shaq this year,” Krewe Captain Clark Brennan shared. Why go an extra mile for a particular name rather than going with an option that does not require much effort?

Shaquille O’Neal’s Louisiana connection secured him the honor of being a king

Bacchus captain Clark Brennan believes he couldn’t have imagined a more fitting monarch for this year’s celebration. His reasoning? Big Diesel’s deep-rooted connection to Louisiana and his time at LSU. “I truly felt Shaq would be a perfect king because of his Louisiana ties with LSU. He’s a great ambassador and role model for our young kids today to do the right thing,” Brennan had previously stated.

And truly, who else could embody the spirit of the occasion better than Shaq? A towering figure both on and off the court, his bond with Louisiana stretches back decades. From 1989 to 1992, he was a dominant force at LSU, earning accolades such as NCAA Player of the Year while making an unforgettable mark on college basketball.

No wonder that to honor Shaquille O’Neal’s legacy, the Krewe unveiled a brand-new tiger-themed float. A tribute to his LSU roots. Parade producer Barry Kern had previously noted that this float could rival Bacchus’s most iconic ones. Adding to the celebration, plans were also in place for the LSU Tiger Marching Band to participate, further solidifying Shaq’s lasting connection to Louisiana.