Dr. Shaquille O’Neal will enter his first season as general manager of Sacramento State Men’s Basketball in 2025-26. O’Neal joined the program shortly after the appointment of Mike Bibby to head men’s basketball coach.
O’Neal will focus on recruitment, marketing, and holistic player development - both on and off the court. He has waived a salary and will serve in a volunteer capacity.
Born in Newark, New Jersey, on March 6, 1972, O’Neal is considered to be one of the most dominant basketball players in NBA history. At 7-1, and 325 pounds, Shaq’s larger-than-life personality and powerful athleticism resulted in worldwide adulation and one of the most passionate fan bases in sports and entertainment.
O’Neal played for six teams throughout his 19-year NBA career and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.
Following his career at LSU, O’Neal was drafted by the Orlando Magic with the first overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft. He quickly became one of the best centers in the league, winning Rookie of the Year in 1992–93 and later leading his team to the 1995 NBA Finals.
After four years with the Magic, O’Neal signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won three consecutive championships in 2000-02. In 2004, O’Neal moved to the Miami Heat and won his fourth NBA championship in 2006. Between 2007 and 2011, Shaq took his talents to Phoenix, Cleveland and finally Boston where he finished his illustrious basketball career.
Shaq’s individual accolades include the 1999–2000 MVP award, the 1992–93 NBA Rookie of the Year award, 15 All-Star game selections, three All-Star Game MVP awards, three Finals MVP awards, two scoring titles, 14 All-NBA team selections, and three NBA All-Defensive Team selections.
He is one of only three players to win NBA MVP, All-Star game MVP and Finals MVP awards in the same year (2000). He ranks eighth all-time in points scored, sixth in field goals made, 15th in rebounding, and eighth in blocks. He also ranks 3rd all-time in field goal percentage (58.2%).
O’Neal’s off-court accolades rival his athletic accomplishments, having found success in acting, music, television, DJing and gaming. Currently, Shaq is an analyst on Inside The NBA.
Philanthropically, his relationship with the Boys & Girls Club of America dates back to his youth in New Jersey. As a national spokesperson for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, he has been participating in campaigns with the non-profit company for the past 15 years.
He graduated from LSU in 2000 (general studies), received his master's in business from the University of Phoenix in 2005, and added a doctorate in education from Barry University in 2012.
