Shaquille O’Neal has never been shy about teaching his kids the value of hard work — and it sounds like one of them may have just tested that lesson in a very public way.
According to Effortless Motors, Shaq’s 21-year-old son, Shaqir O’Neal, recently bought a brand-new Mercedes-Benz S 580, valued around $130,000, through the luxury car dealer. The 6-foot-8 Sacramento State forward reportedly made the purchase over FaceTime, and when the dealership’s owner, Daniel Ubario, jokingly asked if Shaq knew about it, Shaqir’s reply said it all:
“Put it on my dad’s tab. He not gonna trip.”
The car was shipped to Sacramento within 24 hours — and while “Big Diesel” hasn’t commented yet, it’s hard to imagine the Hall of Famer letting this one slide quietly.
Shaq has spent years hammering home one message to his kids: you have to earn it. Despite his estimated $500 million net worth, the four-time NBA champion has always insisted that his children build their own careers and not rely on his fortune. As he once told them bluntly:
“We ain’t rich. I’m rich.”
For Shaqir, who currently plays college basketball for the Sacramento State Hornets, the lesson may still be sinking in. Though he’s yet to make a name for himself on the court, his NIL valuation is already estimated at $815,000, proof that the O’Neal name still carries serious weight. But the younger O’Neal’s recent spending spree might not be the kind of highlight his father was hoping for.
Shaq’s story couldn’t be more different. Growing up in Newark, New Jersey, he experienced poverty firsthand and worked relentlessly to reach the top of the NBA. That grind mentality — the same one that helped him dominate the league and become a global business mogul — is something he’s tried to instill in his six children.
The irony here? Effortless Motors, the dealership behind the sale, is actually part of Shaq’s extended circle. The company has been known to handle vehicles for celebrities and high-profile clients — including the Diesel himself. So, while Shaqir’s “purchase” might’ve been an easy one, it likely didn’t go unnoticed for long.
The whole episode brings to mind a familiar story in sports — the challenge of NBA sons trying to live up to their fathers’ legacies. For every success story like Stephen Curry or Klay Thompson, there are countless others who never quite reach that same level. Shaqir’s situation might not be about basketball stats, but it’s definitely a reminder that being Shaq’s kid comes with expectations — and some very public lessons.
If we know anything about Shaq, though, it’s that he’ll turn this into a teaching moment — delivered with that trademark mix of humor, humility, and wisdom.