Shaquille O’Neal‘s trade in 2008 caused a big waste for one of his relatives. After a spectacular stint at LSU, the 7’1″ tall man stepped into the NBA in 1992 and quickly made a name for himself. He not only won Rookie of the Year but also became the first rookie after Michael Jordan, to be voted as an All-Star starter. But he isn’t the only famous personality in the family. The basketball legend has a famous cousin too. And while the two didn’t have much public interaction, it turns out we might have been robbed of one great moment!

Do you know who Shaq’s famous cousin is? We’re talking about American actor and comedian Bill Bellamy. He is the 4x NBA champ’s second cousin from his mother’s side. Many were unaware of this surprising fact. Another fact you probably didn’t know is that Bellamy, who started his career as an MTV VJ and host of MTV Jams, had a chance to interview D-Wade and Shaq during their time in Miami.

Of course, he wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity. He traveled all the way to Miami to interview the two Heat stars. As Bellamy recalled during his latest appearance on D-Wade’s podcast, they completed the entire shoot. However, right in the middle of the interview, the news of the Big Aristotle’s trade to the Phoenix Suns came.

“You want to hear a funny story? Shaq is at Miami. We go there to specifically interview D-Wade and Shaq. Cut to Shaq gets traded. The time from the interview, 30 minutes later, he was gone. We couldn’t use none of it. We shot the whole show. By the time I get back to the hotel, they say, yo, that’s dead,” Bellamy said.

During the 2007-08 season, the Miami Heat had a tough time and ended the season with a disappointing 15-67 record. Midway through the season, when their record was just 9 wins and 37 losses, the Heat traded Shaq to the Phoenix Suns, who had the best record in the Western Conference, in exchange for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks.

The trade happened quickly and shocked everyone, but then again, that’s how most trades work. Even after so many years, Bellamy still remembers the story, despite having little interaction with Shaq.

Bill Bellamy explains why he didn’t get to spend more time with Shaquille O’Neal

During his one interview with DJ Vlad, the comedian shared how O’Neal and his family used to travel a lot due to his stepfather, Philip Arthur Harrison’s job. “It was interesting because Shaquille moved around a lot, you know what I’m saying? So it wasn’t as close as I would have liked because with his stepfather and the way they was moving in the military, he was in New York for two, three years and then he’s gone. Now they in Texas,” the comedian recalled. 

Both were born in New Jersey and went to Seton Hall Preparatory School. While the two did not get to spend much time together, there’s one thing that the two share. And it is their sense of humor. Another thing that Bellamy says is that he feels good about the fact that the two began to gain recognition nearly at the same time despite being in two different fields.

He was working as a VJ and host on MTV, while the Los Angeles Lakers legend was making waves playing for the Orlando Magic. He called it a “full circle” moment as they began to make New Jersey proud as well with their work!