An all-time great and one of the most beloved icons in the world of basketball, Shaquille O’Neal has always been a people person. His slightly eccentric yet vibrant persona makes Shaq stand out not just as an athlete but also as a popular personality. But exactly how much do we know about Shaquille O’Neal’s religious beliefs and is he truly a Muslim?
Originally drafted by the Orlando Magic in the 1992 NBA draft, Shaq would go on to play 19 stellar seasons in the league. He won four NBA championships in his career and was three times Finals MVP during his glorious tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Owing to his renown and popularity, Shaquille O’Neal has also been a successful media icon. His appearances across talk shows, podcasts, and even movies have made the NBA legend a well-known face even to people outside of the basketball world. But fans have often speculated about the star’s religious beliefs and even Shaq himself has voiced on the topic on certain occasions.
Also Read: How Tall is Shaq? What is his Shoe Size?
Is Shaquille O’Neal a Muslim?
Shaquille O’Neal‘s mother was a baptist and his stepfather was a follower of Islam. Back in 2008, Shaq had addressed fellow NBA player Hakeem Olajuwon as “another Muslim brother” implying that he too, is a follower of the same religion.
Shaquille O’Neal had even voiced his wish to perform Hajj, a Muslim pilgrimage to the city of Mecca.
Although his first name ‘Shaquille‘ is of Arabic origin, the legend’s religious beliefs have been often debated. When he was directly approached about his religious stance, Shaq’s answer was rather quirky.
“I’m Muslim, I’m Jewish, I’m Buddhist, I’m everybody because I’m a people person.” From his statements, it seems the NBA legend is a follower of all the bright aspects of every religion.
The story behind his first name ‘Shaquille’
Once asked about the history of his name, Shaquille O’Neal related a moving tale behind his first name. Shaq narrated the story of when he asked his mother about the origin of his somewhat unique name in their household.
“I said, ‘We have Brians and Kennys and Mikes and Gregs in our family, why did you name me Shaquille?’ and she said, ‘I wanted to name you something that meant something.’ My name is Shaquille Raushaun O’Neal, Shaquille is an Islamic name, it means ‘little,’ Raushaun means ‘warrior.’ She said, ‘You my little warrior, I fought with you, I fought for you.’”
“She tells me a story that as a two-year-old I was very very over-sized for a two-year-old. So, of course, kids three and under ride a bus free. So she would drag me up to the bus and the guy was like, ‘Hey you gotta pay the extra money,’ and my mom would say, ‘No, he’s only two,’ so I actually seen her fist fight with a bus driver one time.”
FAQs
Q. Which franchise drafted Shaquille O’Neal in the NBA?The Orlando Magic drafted Shaquille O’Neal in the 1992 NBA draft.
Q. How many NBA Championships has Shaquille O’Neal won?Shaquille O’Neal won four NBA Championship rings during his professional career.
Q. Which college did Shaquille O’Neal play for?Shaquille O’Neal played college basketball at Louisiana State University prior to his NBA career.
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