All hail, King Shaq! There could not be a better honor than this to revere the basketball legend for what he has done since his last dunk at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Although the 2013 Louisiana Sports Hall of Famer was born in New Jersey, his path to NBA greatness was forged in Louisiana, where he played for the LSU from 1989 to 1992. Just in December 2024, Krewe Captain Clark Brennan announced that the NBA Hall of Famer and Baton Rogues resident Shaq will serve as Bacchus for the 2025 Bacchus Mardia Gras. “The first guy I thought of was Shaq,” said the captain upon selecting Shaq for the honor. However, the Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana has made it clear he’s not keen on sharing the spotlight—or a float—with the NBA legend during the festivities for a hilarious reason.

With the theme of “Louisiana Fairs and Festivals,” the cultural parade is scheduled for March 2 and it will roll through New Orleans’ uptowns. Given Shaq’s towering height, the Krewe went the extra mile and modified their throne to fit the NBA legend. And if everything goes according to the plan, Shaq may join forces with the LSU Tiger Marching Band, underscoring his lasting ties to the state. Acknowledging the event’s grandeur, Governor Billy Nungesser also expressed his admiration for the NBA legend, but he refused to accompany the former LSU basketball star.

Speaking about the vibrant Louisiana festivals on Newell’s Show, Lieutenant Governor Nungesser revealed his admiration for the state’s cultural festivities. The host humorously suggested, “What I would like to see is a one-on-one video of Billy Nungesser versus the king of Bacchus, Shaq.” But Nungesser doesn’t want that.

“Well, I hope I’m not riding on the same float with him because I’m short as it is, and I would really look short if I got a ride next to Shaq,” Nungesser joked, sending both himself and the host into fits of laughter. True, standing alongside a 7.1-footer would make your next person look like a point guard lining up against a center. Despite his reluctance for a side-by-side appearance, Nungesser didn’t hold back his praise for the basketball legend.

“He is a great ambassador for Louisiana. If you’ve ever met him or been at an event, he spends time with the kids. He’s just larger than life, literally, but his personality and his love for Louisiana, wherever he goes, he’s been an unbelievable ambassador, and I’m so glad they’re going to get to honor him as king of Bacchus,” Nungesser said.

So how does Shaq maintain his friendly personality in his social network?

Everyone has a buddy in Shaq: The Deisel reveals his mantra

Celebrities, kids, fans, even someone strolling through a random toy store, everyone’s got a buddy in Shaq. As he gears up for his annual Shaquille O’Neal’s Fun House party during Super Bowl weekend, the 52-year-old put it bluntly, “The Diesel knows everybody.”

But how does he do it? “It’s all about honor and respect,” Shaq explained. “Every person I come in contact with, superstar or not, I just try to show as much respect as possible.”

This mindset clearly extends to his Super Bowl bash, which boasts performances by DJ Irie, John Summit, and longtime friend Ludacris. The party hits New Orleans on Friday, Feb. 7, and promises an epic celebration of music, fun, and friendships.

Speaking of friendships, Shaq doesn’t just name-drop; he nurtures them. “I’ve been friends with Ludacris for over 30 years,” Shaq shared. “Ludacris used to come by my house every time he was in LA unannounced, just to get some of my chef’s cake.” As for Summit? “John Summit is a good friend of mine and said he’d love to be involved.”

And if you’re wondering about the party vibes, Shaq isn’t holding back. “Man, I was happy when the Super Bowl was headed to the Big Easy,” he said. “My party—no doubt, no doubt in my mind—will be the No. 1 party. Leave your wallet at home!” Tickets start at $199, and yes, that includes a six-hour open bar. But Shaq’s ultimate goal? “We want you to drink responsibly and have fun.” Sounds like a win-win!