shaquille o'neal have a phd

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NBA Legend Shaquille O?Neal?s Education: Does He Have a Ph.D.?

Mar 12, 2023 | 1:11 PM EDT

Shaquille O’Neal speaks during Pepsi Stronger Together and CTG Foundation Atlanta Law Enforcement on in McDonough, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Pepsi Stronger Together)

Shaquille O?Neal wanted to take his talents to the NBA after a brief stint with LSU. However, his parents Phillip A. Harrison and Lucille O’Neal advised him to continue school. Unwillingly, Shaq obliged. However, three years into college, coach Dale Brown was tired of all the hard fouls that were allowed on the towering center. Brown was worried that Shaq could potentially suffer a serious injury that could hamper his NBA career. So he himself convinced his parents to allow him to declare for the NBA draft before graduating.

O?Neal declared for the 1992 NBA draft with a promise to his parents that he would come back and finish his degree. The Orlando Magic selected him as the first overall pick. Subsequently, there was no stopping the powerhouse, who went on to achieve almost everything there is to achieve in the league. However, Shaq’s parents still wanted their son to keep his promise and complete his education.

Shaquille O’Neal is highly qualified outside the basketball world

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Shaquille O’Neal is arguably one of the best basketball players ever. However, he is much more than just a basketball legend. Shaq is a certified polymath and highly qualified outside of the basketball world as well. He can do it all, from making music and starring in movies to building successful businesses. Furthermore, he was a smart entrepreneur from the very start of his career. Amidst his success in the league, O’Neal was winning off the court as well.

Shaq was one of the most popular athletes in the world and it earned him major endorsements. However, he soon realized that he could earn much more via partnerships. So the Big Aristotle joined hands with major brands instead of just endorsing them. This helped him build his massive business empire.

READ MORE – Awestruck NBA World Notice Crazy Body Transformation as Shaquille O?Neal Unleashes Hysterical Clip

However, it did not come easy. The Los Angeles Lakers legend had to spend many sleepless nights studying to be where he is now. Even though he was a superstar in the league, he did not forget his promise to his parents. So he worked hard to graduate and educate himself aptly. However, Shaq did not stop after getting his first degree. His motivation to learn more only increased from there on.

Being a good businessman, Shaquille O’Neal has invested a lot in his education

Shaquille O’Neal was curious about business from a very early stage in his NBA career. He learned things with experience, making mistakes here and there. However, he made sure to not make the same mistake twice. Furthermore, he surrounded himself with brilliant minds and did not hesitate to ask questions about entrepreneurship. Now, he has over 172 restaurants and 150 car washes that add to his impressive net worth.

LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 18: Shaquille O’Neal arrives ahead of the 2018 NBA All-Star Game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on February 18, 2018. (Photo by Philip Pacheco/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

The Hall of Famer understood the importance of education as a good businessman. However, he had to learn it the hard way. Even though his associates respected him, they did not think he would understand the details being discussed in business meetings. So whenever they discussed business, they did it by themselves. Shaq was not happy with the way he was treated in meetings .

The four-time NBA champion thought his lack of education in business was the reason behind it. So he wanted to be in charge and decided to educate himself further and hence, invested a lot of his time and money in education.

Shaquille O’Neal’s education is one of his biggest achievements in life

Over the course of his NBA career, Shaquille O’Neal has won almost every accolade there is to win. After losing the Finals playing for the Orlando Magic, Shaq could not wait to win his first-ever title. However, he had to bide his time even after joining the Lakers. O’Neal and the Lakers fell short in the playoffs multiple times. Shaq received major criticism from analysts and fans because of his inability to deliver chips despite his massive contract. However, he vouched to win it all and decided to do whatever it took.

When Shaq found head coach Phil Jackson was available, he let the management know his desire to play under Jackson. Furthermore, he met Jackson to convince him to join the team. The legendary head coach had some conditions for O’Neal regarding his training regimen, which he obliged. Then there was no stopping the Lakers. They went on to win three straight titles from 2000 to 03 despite Shaq and Kobe Bryant’s internal feud.

WATCH THIS STORY – How much did Shaquille O?Neal weigh at birth

Shaq won the NBA MVP award in 2000 en route to his first NBA ring. Additionally, he won the Finals MVP award on all three occasions. Other than Shaq, only Michael Jordan has done that. After leaving LA in 2004, the Big Diesel won another title with the Miami Heat in 2006. He has also won the All-Star Game MVP thrice while playing in 15 editions. He was eventually inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016. Even though O’Neal has won almost everything in the NBA, his education will still be considered one of his biggest achievements, mostly because of the importance he ascribes to it.

Complete details on Shaquille O’Neal’s educational background

Eight years after leaving LSU, Shaquille O’Neal went back and kept his promise by earning his B.A. degree in general studies. His parents could not be more proud. However, he was just getting started. The 15-time NBA All-Star reached out to the University of Phoenix to join the MBA program. But the university only offered online courses. However, Shaq wanted to attend classes. The management said that it needs more students who are willing to attend physical classes to make it happen.

So O’Neal enrolled 15 of his associates and paid for them as well. In 2005, the 2000 NBA MVP earned his MBA from the University of Phoenix. But his mother’s tears of joy pushed him to do more . Lucille O’Neal suggested that it would be nice to have a doctor in the family.

So Shaq began his work to earn a doctorate in education in 2010. According to a report from ESPN , O’Neal received his Ed.D. in Human Resource Development from Barry University in 2012. Contrary to popular belief, Shaq does not have a Ph.D . However, Dr. Shaquille O’Neal earned his doctorate, just like his mother desired.

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Does Shaq Really Have a Ph.D.?

Bradley Geiser has been a contributing writer since 2019 and works with content for MotorBiscuit and Sportscasting. He earned his bachelor's degree in English literature and English creative writing from UC Davis.

Published 03 Apr 2020

Shaquille O’Neal acts, raps, analyzes basketball on TNT, invests in dozens of companies , and even owns a partial stake in the Sacramento Kings. On top of it all, however, Shaq is a lifelong student.

Many NBA fans might not know that O’Neal is the proud recipient of a doctoral degree. His commitment to education is a sticking point for him.

Shaquille O’Neal goes to college

Shaq initially followed the path of many others when he attended Louisiana State University . Although he valued his education, he knew he faced a lucrative NBA career as the consensus No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. O’Neal began at LSU in 1989 and, according to him, knew he wanted to finish with his degree no matter what, reports The New York Times .

If Ben Simmons goes No. 1 overall, he will join Shaquille O’Neal as the only No. 1 picks from LSU in the NBA Draft. pic.twitter.com/6CfJkpgjCb — ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 23, 2016

Three years later, he left for the NBA, putting his educational goals on hold. Despite his status as an NBA superstar, he wanted to get his degree and used his parents as motivation. “I promised my parents I’d do it. I promised myself I’d do it,” O’Neal said of earning his degree. “It took eight years; it should have taken six or seven. I had some other engagements.”

That eight-year wait ended in 2000 when O’Neal famously missed a game against the Vancouver Grizzlies to attend his college graduation from LSU. “Here he is, almost 30, and he’s graduating from college,” Phil Jackson said per ABC News . “He’s persevered to do it. We wish him well in his graduation; it’s a wonderful thing to do.”

Not every player needs to finish their education. LeBron James hasn’t even gone to college. O’Neal, however, wanted his degree and wouldn’t stop with his bachelor’s. 

Becoming ‘Dr. Shaq’ 

Five years after receiving his degree and fresh off his tumultuous ending with the Lakers , O’Neal received another diploma. He got his master’s degree in business thanks to the University of Phoenix’s online opportunities, reports Harvard blog Ipso Facto . Shaq received a degree in business administration, which should shock no one who’s followed his career.

Meet Dr. Shaquille O'Neal with Barry University President pic.twitter.com/3IYltyz8 — Melissa Adan Vargas (@MelissaABCNews) May 5, 2012

While several big names get honorary degrees from various schools, O’Neal earned his just like any other grad school student. He took what he learned and applied it to his craft away from the court, but he didn’t stop there. 

Attendees at a 2012 convocation for Barry University saw one particularly large graduate in their midst, reports ESPN . Recently retired from the NBA, O’Neal finished his educational goal and received his doctorate in business along with 1,100 other students. O’Neal put himself in an exclusive club of pro athletes with doctorates. He is not technically a Ph.D. but received his Ed.D (Doctor of Education).

Shaquille O’Neal passes it on

Shaq’ss love for education does not stop there, however. Now a father to six adult and teenage children, O’Neal wants to instill his love of learning into the next generation of his family. Referencing the work he saw Miami Heat owner Micky Arison give his son, O’Neal wants his kids to learn the value of hard work and education.

O’Neal said he wants his kids to get at least two degrees before they dip into his money. This way, they can invest their finances similarly to how he does while also learning valuable life lessons. 

Off the court, O’Neal has had about as much success as he did on it. In a world where athletes are often lost outside of their games, O’Neal showed there is a path for even the largest superstars to expand their expertise.

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Does Shaquille O'Neal Really Have a Ph.D.?

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Shaquille O'Neal is one of the most adored celebrity athletes out there. From his inspirational journey building his $400 million net worth to his foray into comedy, which brought us his amazing partnership with Kevin Hart .

"To achieve greatness means to maximize your potential at the highest possible level, and the highest possible rate," the NBA legend told Thought Economics of his success. "I don't really consider myself the best, but the fact that people consider me the best I take as a great honor and as testament to the hard work and what I was able to achieve."

He added that although he's "not the best, I've never considered myself the best, you know. The fact that people think I was the best just shows that I'm a tireless worker, I never stopped working and never stopped believing." So it's no surprise when rumors of him having a Ph.D. started going around.

RELATED: Shaquille O'Neal Could've Boosted His Acting Career But Decided To Turn Down The Iconic Role That Went To Michael Clarke Duncan

Does Shaq Really Have A Ph.D.?

Shaq doesn't have a Ph.D. despite what most fans believe. What he has is an Ed.D. which is also a doctorate degree. He received it in 2012 from Barry University Florida, right after his basketball career ended. "This is for my mother, who always stressed the importance of education," he said at that time.

"I am proud to have achieved a doctoral degree and wish to thank my professors and Barry University for helping make this dream a reality. I'm smart enough to know that, even at my tender age, my pursuit of education is never finished." The university also confirmed that the sports analyst had indeed put in the work for the degree.

"For the past four-and-half years, O'Neal pursued his doctoral degree in education while juggling the roles of athlete, student and entrepreneur," they said. "He completed the requirements of the doctoral program while adhering to the grueling NBA schedule prior to his retirement last year as well as fulfilling commitments in broadcasting and business."

RELATED: Shaquille O’Neal’s Girlfriend Might Look Familiar, And That's Because Of Her TV Cameos

How Much Did Shaq Make From His NBA Career?

According to Yahoo! Finance , Shaq amassed a total of $292 million from his NBA contracts, then about $200 million in endorsements throughout his career. But at one point, his net worth almost plummeted after his divorce from his ex-wife, Shauna.

Luckily, since their divorce proceedings took place in Florida, the latter wasn't legally entitled to half of the entrepreneur's wealth. She would have if it was processed in California. Shaq was then ordered to pay $10,000 for each of their four kids every month (until they're 18), plus another $10,000 in alimony.

The retired basketball player has notably taken the blame for the failure of his marriage to Shaun. "I was a d--khead," he told People of his infidelity in November 2022. "You don't know how good you got something till it's gone. "And guess what? It's your fault. I was living the good life."

He even admitted to feeling so low, "losing the privilege of having … joy," after his house — which used to have "full of noise and relatives" — had gone silent all of a sudden." He recalled: "Second day. Third day. Fourth day… forever. The silence starts to get to you."

RELATED: Who Is Shaquille O'Neal's Ex-Wife Shaunie?

How Does Shaq Spend His $400 Million Net Worth?

Shaq has always spoken about being a provider to his eight children with four ex-wives. In a recent interview with the I t's Non-Negotiable Podcast , he said that it's "a man's job" to "protect, provide, and love" all of them, hence his non-stop hustle.

Shaq also likes to give back to his community, and not just by writing cheques to charity. "I like to be hands-on. I like to do stuff myself," he said. "I like to go-in and be like, 'oh you need that? I’ll take care of it…' and I take care of it myself"

He added: "I don't usually write cheques and walk away. I like to go and say, 'okay, the school needs a new gym? The teachers and kids don't have laptops for their online schooling? The gym doesn’t have a weights room?' I'll take care of it – I'll use my contacts book and get it done."

It's the legacy he wants to leave behind him. "I just want people to say Shaq was a nice guy," he reflected. "With social media, Google, Bing and all that- people know what I've done, what I haven't done, how much I've made, and how much I've lost. That's not important."

He noted: "I want them to say, 'hey, I met Shaq at the CVS by himself, no entourage, he was the nicest guy…' or 'hey, I met Shaq, my grandmother needed a wheelchair and Shaq found out about it and the next thing I know a wheelchair showed up at my house…'"