Shaquille O'Neal has made a reputation for himself as an NBA icon, businessman, and philanthropist, but who're his parents? Here is what we know.
We all know Shaquille O'Neal — affectionately referred to as "Shaq"— as an NBA icon, who embodies luck and standing, but we do not frequently pay attention much about his parents.
Born to parents Lucille O’Neal and Joseph Toney on March 6, 1972, Shaq was the eldest amongst his three siblings.
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Although he did not grow up with his biological father, Shaq was once raised by means of his mom, Lucille, and sooner or later his stepfather, Phillip Harrison.
Let's take a look back at what Shaq has said about his parents, together with his organic father, who he reconnected with later in lifestyles.
Lucille O'Neal used to be simplest 17 years previous when she gave start to Shaquille O'Neal.
Lucille, who used to be simply 17 at the time of Shaq's delivery, used to be compelled to raise him as a unmarried mom, after his organic father Joseph Toney, was arrested for drug ownership and check forgery.
This meant that she ceaselessly had to paintings more than one jobs at a time. Despite the challenges she faced, Lucille instilled a strong work ethic and a need to achieve her kids.
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She was also a riding think about Shaquille's basketball profession — and eventual luck — encouraging him to pursue the game and guiding him along the way. Later in lifestyles, Lucille met Army Sergeant Phillip Harrison, and the two were given married, with Phillip becoming a father determine to Shaq and his 3 siblings.
So, it is no surprise that when he made it into the NBA, he put his mom and his stepfather on his payroll, paying his mother a wage of $750,000.
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"So, [the] first thing I did was incorporate ‘Shaq’ and then I put my mom on salary and put my dad on salary. And you know, we had a fan club. I got ’em an office and got ’em a car and they were so proud," Shaq advised Afrotech in 2022. "Cause the best day of my life was when I got drafted."
It used to be in truth Shaq's stepfather Phillip who presented him to basketball.
Shaq has made no secret about the undeniable fact that his stepfather, Philip, was once the one that presented him to basketball. The celebrated NBA hall-of-famer didn't at all times dream of being in the NBA, but after a shuttle to Madison Square Garden with Philip to watch Julius Erving play, he was inspired to pursue basketball.
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Before then, Shaq was reportedly a child, who was "more into football" to begin with, as he put it however because Shaq's organic father was once absent, Phillip turned into greater than a father figure to Shaq.
Over the years, the NBA leaguer and DJ has praised his stepfather’s influence in his life and credited him for shaping him into the guy that he's these days. Phillip kicked the bucket in 2013.
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“He’s the man that advised me someday that I'd be here,” Shaq said in a speech during All-Star Weekend in 2022. “I was a medium-level, high-level juvenile antisocial, was at all times told I might never ever make it. He convinced me to do well at school ... I take a look at him and say ‘Sir, this is what I need to be when I develop up.' His actual phrases, 'If you listen to me, I’ll make you a type of maximum dominant giant males ever.'"
Despite his absence, Shaq says he doesn't judge his biological father.
Joseph Toney — Shaq's biological father — spent nearly six years in prison, leaving his family behind. After he was released, his son [Shaquille] and Lucille moved to Germany with Lucille's new partner Philip Harrison, who was an Army man.
According to several reports, for years, Joseph made no attempt to reconnect with Shaq and Lucille. It wasn't until after Phillip Harrison — who had forbidden Joe's efforts to reunite with his son Shaq and former wife — passed away that he was finally able to try.
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On Dr. Phil, Shaq opened up about meeting his father for the first time at 44 years old.
"I do not judge. He had some issues when he was once younger. I do not pass judgement on him. I do not fault him," he told the talk show host. "My thing now is just as long as we're each right here, we simply get to grasp every other. I'm now not the pass judgement on and the jury. My process is solely to love him as much as I can now."
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According to Shaq, his parents are also the reason he is a successful entrepreneur.
Shaq, who has six kids of his own, has always been vocal about the significance of his parents' influence on his early life. In a conversation with a group of kids, the savvy businessman and renowned sports icon said that he grew his stellar fortune because he listened to his parents.
“You know how I made $900 million? Just by listening to my mommy and daddy," Shaq said. "Make sure you always listen to your parents. Got it? I’m serious. I’m not playing. Alright? Don’t tell anybody else my secret. Remember what I said."
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