Shaquille O’Neal Eyes Professorship After Graduation from Alabama State, Vows to Teach Mentorship and Business
*Retired NBA icon Shaquille O’Neal has his sights set on a new title: Professor O’Neal.
During a recent episode of Inside the NBA, O’Neal made a heartfelt declaration about his academic and professional aspirations. Wearing an Alabama State University sweater and flashing a fraternity salute, the Hall of Famer surprised viewers with a bold statement. “From now 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,” he told co-host Ernie Johnson, AfroTech reports.
O’Neal is currently pursuing studies at Alabama State, an HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), and hopes to translate his decades of business acumen and life experience into classroom lessons for the next generation. On an episode of The Big Podcast with Shaq, he shared a personal story about needing to take summer courses at Southern University to complete his degree from LSU. That experience left a lasting impression.
“I always supported [HBCUs]. It was an HBCU that helped me graduate from LSU,” he explained.
“Going there, the flavor, the feeling-like, sometimes I sit and I say, ‘Man, I wish I would’ve went to an HBCU. Because I went to the HBCU tournament when it was in Atlanta a couple weeks ago. And the DJs, the culture, the band, the cheerleaders-it’s just fun. And I’m a really big supporter of HBCUs,” Shaq added.
View this post on Instagram
O’Neal’s admiration for HBCU culture has remained constant. He recently attended an HBCU tournament in Atlanta and gushed about the vibrant atmosphere, saying, “The DJs, the culture, the band, the cheerleaders—it’s just fun. And I’m a really big supporter of HBCUs.”
His commitment to these institutions also extends to his family. His son, Shaqir O’Neal, initially chose Texas Southern University in 2021 to “change the narrative” around HBCU basketball programs. After a stint at Florida A&M, he recently transferred to Sacramento State, joining a team led by former NBA guard Mike Bibby as head coach and Shaq as general manager.
O’Neal told The Athletic that he sees his job as “preparing these student-athletes for life on and off the court.”
View this post on Instagram
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Shaquille O’Neal Becomes First NBA Player Named ‘Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year’
We Publish Breaking News 24/7. Don’t Miss Out! Sign up for our Free daily newsletter HERE.
The post Shaquille O’Neal Eyes Professorship After Graduation from Alabama State, Vows to Teach Mentorship and Business appeared first on EURweb.
