Of course, Ezra Frech won gold. He had some big ‘purple and gold’ backing. Team USA’s representative Paralympian won hearts both on and off the track. Including when he strutted in Paris in Lakers colors. And not just any number – it was #34. That’s the number that hangs in the rafters of Crypto.com Arena among three of the championship banners #34 had a part in winning. The owner of that number, the Shaquille O’Neal himself, saw it and was moved by that gesture.

Frech made an Instagram post wearing his Lakers jersey while in Paris. He now told Us Weekly that O’Neal slid into his DMs (in a platonic way) to show his appreciation.

“I made a video when I was in the Paralympic Village where I talked about wearing a Shaquille O’Neal jersey around, and my teammates were telling me, ‘You can’t wear a Shaq jersey. You have to wear Team USA,’” Frech said about two weeks since the incident. FYI, fans didn’t agree with his teammates.

“I said, ‘Is that not USA enough? A Lakers jersey with Shaquille O’Neal? That’s USA enough.’ I posted this video. Shaq DMs me and says, ‘Love you brother, go out there. Win gold.’” That simple text sounds tame for Shaq. And the big man probably thought the same.

“Shaq did send me a video wishing me good luck, telling me to go win the gold,” Frech further revealed. That’s more Shaq style. He’s known to send heartfelt video messages to many fans and young athletes. He usually does it on the down-low, without fanfare, and it’s up to the receiver to disclose it. Frech opted to not share Shaq’s exact message yet. But he cites it as a huge encouragement behind his gold finish.

“Maybe I felt so motivated by it, I had to do it twice. Shaq’s the man. For him to say something like that was really cool. I was freaking out in my room. We were all freaking out.”

Fancy how Shaq’s gesture changed Frech’s teammates’ tune.

No one’s repping like Ezra Frech

On August 27, the track star posted a video asking for fans’ opinions on his Lakers jersey. He stated that his teammates didn’t think anything outside the Team USA colors was acceptable in the Olympic Village.

Fans had emboldened Frech to keep the Lakers jersey on in Paris. They don’t forget that Shaq did lead Team USA to a gold in 1996 (though he threw it in a fit of rage) and feel his Lakers energy is quite empowering.

Most of them said that Shaq would be proud to be repped that way. They were spot on. The Lakers’ Big Aristotle loved Frech’s gesture and the responses from fans.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.