In many posts here on the ShaqFu Radio blog, we’ve talked about how important education – and especially higher, college education – is to the big man. Well now Shaq is definitely putting showing off that commitment. Just recently, O’Neal just dropped a bit of a bombshell on Inside the NBA—and no, it wasn’t a dunk. It was a degree!
In case you missed it (ICYMI, as they say), it was on one of the “Inside” shows last week where for Hall of Famer and longtime TNT personality showed some serious love for Alabama State University and teased his next big career move.
Dressed in the bold black and gold of ASU, Shaq made it clear he’s repping the Hornets for more than just the colors. When host Ernie Johnson asked about the outfit, Shaq replied with a grin, “From now on, I would like to be addressed as Professor O’Neal… because when I graduate in two years, I will leave you and become a college professor on mentorship and business administration. I love you.”
Yep, you read that right. Shaq—NBA champion, movie star, platinum-selling artist, DJ Diesel—is aiming to walk across the stage in cap and gown, then head straight to the classroom.
This isn’t just a passing interest, either. O’Neal has spoken often about his respect and support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Alabama State has a special place in his heart.
On a recent episode of The Big Podcast with Shaq, he shared how an HBCU helped him finish his degree at LSU: “A lot of people don’t know the story, but I had to transfer to Southern for summer school. I’ve always been a big supporter.”
Shaq’s passion for HBCUs goes beyond academics—it’s about the energy, the culture, and the community. “I went to the HBCU tournament in Atlanta a couple weeks ago… the DJs, the band, the cheerleaders—it’s just fun. And I’m a really big supporter.”
And the family tradition continues. Shaq’s son, Shaqir, made headlines when he chose to play college ball at an HBCU out of high school. He’s bounced around a bit—starting at Texas Southern, then Florida A&M, and now Sacramento State—but the mission remains the same: “change the narrative” around HBCU athletics.
Now, the younger O’Neal joins a Sacramento State squad led by former NBA star Mike Bibby—and believe it or not, Big Shaq is now the team’s general manager. The role is unpaid and voluntary, but the impact could be huge. Just one day after the announcement, the school signed Mikey Williams, a high-profile (and headline-making) recruit.
As Shaq puts it, this gig isn’t about hanging banners—it’s about changing lives. “This is about more than banners and trophies,” he said. “It’s about preparing these student-athletes for life on and off the court.”
So don’t be surprised if two years from now, “Professor O’Neal” is taking attendance somewhere. He’s already schooled the NBA—now he’s ready to do it in the classroom.