Las Vegas has Big Diesel-sized markers on its landscape in the form of Big Chicken Shaq locations, Shaq’s Fantasy Labs, and many more businesses. But this new one is the most memorable one yet. Shaquille O’Neal is coming with something new that will be a boon to a lot of local youth. It’s not The Event, O’Neal’s annual fundraiser held in Vegas to support the Boys and Girls Club, though it won’t be long before he’d probably announce the 2024 edition. Riding on the successful 2023 run, he’s building a new facility for Vegas students.

The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation is developing a ‘clubhouse’ for kids in the Northeast side of Las Vegas. He announced it during an appearance at Mario C. & Joanne Monaco Middle School on Wednesday.

His foundation has long been dedicated to the Boys and Girls Club’s efforts across the nation as someone who grew up in it. It raises funds for it via The Event as well as several of Shaq’s investment ventures like Papa John’s and Big Chicken. Apart from his acclaimed initiative, Comebaq Court, this is a landmark initiative by the NBA legend’s foundation. It’s extra special that this facility will be in Vegas, one of Shaq’s second homes.

“When I join a community, I just try to do the right thing. For me it’s not about publicity, it’s not about likes,” Shaq told the young people who will hopefully take advantage of his facility soon. Clark County has donated five acres of land for Shaq and his nonprofit partners to build a 17,000 sq. ft. youth facility that’s reportedly valued at $16 million. It will be near the northeast corner of north Lamb Boulevard and Kell Lane, near an elementary school. It will not only be a place for kids to develop their athletic dreams, but it will also be equipped with academic, social, and recreational resources for K-12 youth.

It will be the country’s first-ever Communities In School (CSI) Alumni Center, an organization serving former CIS students who navigate further academic and professional lives. Trolls claim his charity is a publicity stunt. But he doesn’t let it stop him. This is only the tip of what Shaq’s accomplished in under a year.

Shaquille O’Neal is a philanthropy train

Shaquille O’Neal depended on The Boys and Girls Club as a young student-athlete. After a successful NBA career, he gave back to the organization in a big way. One initiative was Comebaq Court, where he restored and rebuilt multiple Boys and Girls Club facilities across the nation.

After a Shaq-a-Claus Christmas where he distributed school supplies and presents across schools and a busy NBA playoff, he jumped into his summer program. He held his annual Sports Spectacular Summer Camp closer to home in Henry County, Georgia, where he resides. From Atlanta, he headed to Texas to drop by the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Dallas on July 9. He gifted 20 lucky club members a $500 shopping spree at JC Penney to get their school supplies, clothes, shoes, and haircuts.

He gave all the credit to his partners for supporting his philanthropy. After some big gifts in Dallas, he was in Vegas the next day to announce the youth facility. No matter the side commentary in the media, Shaq keeps being Shaq with more kind acts to come.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.