That’s Dr. Shaquille O’ Neal to you. The former NBA star earned his doctoral degree from Barry University in Miami, Florida over the weekend (May 5). Held at the James L. Knight Center, the 7 foot-one slam dunker walked across the stage in front of family and friends after successfully completing his thesis on the value of humor and leadership.
In an interview with ABC’s ‘Good Morning America,’ O’ Neal shared that he aspires to be a motivational speaker and hopes to attend law school in the near future. He also dished on why he decided to pursue education despite being a millionaire:
Well three reasons. One, I promised my parents I would. Two, I wanted to continue my education. And three, I wanted to challenge myself. [...] The hardest part was getting back into high school mode.
…Well a job well done. Congratulations to Shaq! Check out more pictures from his special day as well as his interview with ABC’s ‘Good Morning America.’
WOW! Congrats Dr. Shaq
Congrats Shaq. Job well done.
Congratulations to Shaq and his family. I love the pic of him and his parents and all the kiddies.
But seriously when he is going to take Hoopz shopping. I mean come on skinny jeans and t-shirt to a graduation ceremony. He could have at least bought her a nice suit or dress. His mother has on a pretty dress. The girls have on cute dresses. Why does she always look like she shops at Walmart (nothing wrong with that) but she’s dating a multi millionaire. She should look better. The wigs always look like they came off the sale rack at the Korean beauty supply. It’s just tacky.
either he doest give her money or she doesnt take it…which shows that she may not be a gold digger…!
LMAO @ TAKING HOOPZ SHOPPING
hoops is down to earth unlike your bbw- gold diggers
that is what makes her better than the other chicks he dated. not stuffy or fake pretentious
i don’t understand why bbw have all these expensive designer clothes but act like $1 rejects!!!!!!
While Shaq is positivley seeking education Shaunie is glorifying hoodrats who sleep with athletes.
Congrats Shaq!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hoops stay who you are and don’t be fake… next it will be a fake nose a fake butttt….. some people don’t need !ks shoes or clothes to be pretty they JUST ARE!!!!!!
yeah she was on flava flave but she was still the same.. not some emotional rollercoaster chick
Let’s be clear. Shaq did not get a Ph.D. degree. He got an Ed.D. (Doctor of Education) degree in Human Resources. There is a difference. Look it up for yourself. The school doesn’t even offer a Ph.D. program in Education. I’m surprised so many credible news sources are misreporting.
Seriously? Gtfoh! lmbo
I never knew that Shaq had a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. Congrats, Dr. O’Neal!
you dont need a masters to get a PhD
Congrats, Dr. O’Neal!!! At least your kids have ONE positive role model for a parent.
for real
congrats Shaq…
its crazy how this topic has low comments but let this be about beyonce or rihanna…
welp, lol
This is so great and inspiring. Love him!!
I’m not mad at Dr. Shaq at all!!! I’m glad he still went to get his education on while the Basketball season was off during that time before he retired. Congrats Dr. Shaq!!!
Congrats Shaq!
chile….
Not to be negative, but I can’t help but wonder how legitimate is this degree. The college gets public recognition and more enrollment when someone famous attends and/or graduates. Really yall, I’m not trying to rain on Shaq’s parade, but I’ve been to college and saw how athletes were treated differently in all aspect than the general student body. I hope its all good; N E way congrats to big dog.
Either way, ten years from now, people will still call him Dr. Shaquille O’Neal. The lesson for young brothers and sisters is that it dosen’t matter where you get the degree, as long as you get it. You would be amazed at the growing number on Asians who attend HBCUs to do their undergrad work before moving on to law or medical school. Even a mail- order degree is better than nothing. Don’t knock the legitimacy of his degree. How can it not be “all good” with the Dean adorning him with the Universities highest academic regalia? This is what other races know that blacks tend to forget: “It doesn’t matter how you came to America as long as you made it.” Did you ever stop to wonder why Filipinos and Indians make up over 15% of the Doctors and nurses in American Hospitals? Did you ever stop to question why Asians dominate the UC systems? If you really want to legitimize the system, don’t start with Dr. O’Neal. If anything, you should marvel at him. Remember, once you get that piece of paper…(_______) you can fill in the blank. Just think, Dr. O’Neal and Shaunie could have been Americas number one power couple.
Nice way to do it Shaq, get the money first then go bk to school.
CONGRATS DR. O’Neil!!!!!!!! umm, Shaunie?
Congrats Shaq!! excuse me…*clears throat* Dr. O’Neal
CONGRATS Dr.O’Neal. I can recall an interview where he said he was going to put his family’s name out there and make them be as famous as the Kennedy’s and create a legacy. With the drive he has and the go getter attitude he must certainly will. He is a positive ROLE MODEL for kids of today. LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT.
I think this is wonderful!!!! Our black men can do things besides sports, drugs, and hoes. I bet this makes “the powers that be” mad as hell!!! LMAO I have always liked Shaq (maybe not his choice of women though…lol) I must shamefully admit that I didn’t think he was intelligent enough to get a bachelors, let alone a doctorate. Silly me…judging a book by its cover. Congrats Doc!!!!
Congratulating!!!!!
Heard about this over the weekend! Congrats Dr. O’neal!!! Always been one of my favorite basketball players
CONGRATULATIONS, DR. ONEAL! I will be receiving my Bachelors of Science in Finance over the summer and I am pretty damn proud. An education opens up so many doors for you people, always remember that. Also, don’t just think that you’ll have to work a nine to five for the rest of your life; plan to start a business. We African Americans must make our own way in order to foster improvement in our communities. Some sacrafice and dedication is all it takes.
CONGRATULATIONS DR. SHAQUILLE O’NEAL keep up the marvelous work in being a POSITIVE image for young brothas who think only ‘sports’ is the way…Bravooooo so happy and PROUD of you wooot!!!! *clapping hand & smiling*
I would like to say Congradulations Shaq, I maybe one of the very few that hope you and your x wife meet again. I want to say I am one of your biggest fans from Orlando, to Lakers to Miami to Cleveland to Celtics. I have always been a shaq fan not a team fan. I think your character is as big as your physical being an that is a plus you are a great inspiration for the young men trying to chase there dream Thanks
earned lol. he paid for that degree
Who doesn’t PAY for their degrees, unless you are a student seeking a degree via on scholarship or grants, either way your studies are being financed by some entity. The man put in 4 1/2 years of hard work to obtain his PHD in Education. Believe me it is no small feat. He EARNED IT!
*sealed* @KAT thank you!