Shaquille O'Neal, absolute legend in the NBA
The Big Podcast (DR)

Throughout his NBA career, Shaquille O’Neal established himself as a colorful character. Dominant on the court and entertaining off it, he was the very definition of a superstar. But what was he like growing up? His mother has spoken out. 

Behind every great NBA player is usually a great woman. When Kevin Durant received his MVP title in 2014 for example, it was towards his mother Wanda that he immediately turned, to remind her that without her presence and without her advice, he would never have reached the highest level.

The same goes for LeBron James , who still travels quite often on the arm of Gloria. 

Although she is much less well-known than the two women mentioned above or Sonya Curry, who is regularly shown in the image when she comes to support her son and the Warriors, Mrs. O’Neal played a major role in Shaq’s career.

By rebuilding her life with a military man, she allowed her son to discover rigor, discipline, work ethic, which necessarily helped in the quest for a great professional career. 

Shaquille O’Neal’s mother opens up about his childhood

Because she also deserves the spotlight, Lucille O’Neal has just been interviewed by the legendary radio host Sway. The opportunity for her to talk about her relationship with her son and her childhood.

She notably explained at what moment she felt that Shaquille had something more than other children, that he was destined to accomplish great feats in his life and career: 

To start with, Shaquille was always bigger and stronger than everyone else. I knew right away that he was going to be something special. One day my mother looked at Shaq and said, “He’s going to be the most special one in the family.”

I always believed that. So instead of calling him “different” like everyone else, I started telling him that he was unique. I explained to him that God had given him a gift to lead people. I said over and over again that he had to give people reasons to look up to him.

He knew he had to find something to make people want to follow him. My husband kept telling him to never be a follower, but rather a leader. We hammered that idea into him. He’s known since he was 12 or 13 that he’s a unique person.

So when he had this dream of playing in the NBA, we told him it was possible. But to do that, you have to work. He knew that going to the NCAA would change a lot of things in his life, but to get offers, you have to have good grades. 

From the moment he was born, Shaquille O’Neal exuded something unique. Already by his size, but also by his leadership character.

He was raised with the idea that he had to inspire others, mission accomplished. His work ethic may often be questioned in the NBA microcosm, but you don’t win 4 rings if you don’t inspire others. 

Shaquille O’Neal was raised with the idea that he would do something great in life, which may explain his success at the highest level. He can thank his mother and stepfather for the beautiful values ​​they transmitted.