Shaquille O'Neal, also known as "Shaq," is one of the most famous and greatest basketball players of all time. Shaq was drafted as the first overall pick of the 1992 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic. He also played for the Lakers, Heat, Suns, Cavaliers, and Celtics.

Over seven feet tall and 325 pounds, he was one of the tallest and heaviest players to ever play the game. That's what made him so dominant. He was nearly impossible to stop on the court, which led to a long career of dominating the basket.

Four-time NBA champion, 2000 NBA MVP, and 15-time NBA All-Star. Shaq is an all-time great and will go down as one of the best basketball players ever. He also might go down as one of the best businessmen of all time. He owns many different companies, has had a career in acting and some other professions outside of basketball. Even with how famous he is, there are some things you may not know about him.

20 Father Was An Addict

Unfortunately, Shaq’s biological father, Phillip A. Harrison, was an addict. Shaq hasn’t necessarily ignored the fact of what his father was, but it’s something he isn’t airing out or talking about consistently. It is pretty remarkable to see a man grow up with a parent like that but managed to get his life together.

19 Loves To Party

Unless you run into him at a party, you probably don’t know how much he likes to party even at 47-years old. If you’re at a popular music festival like Ultra Music Festival or Tomorrowland, check the crowd because you just might seem him head bopping to the music with everyone else.

18 Major Stakeholder In EA Sports

You would think a former NBA player would be involved with 2K Sports if any company. Instead, Shaq is a major stakeholder with EA Sports, the company that produces video games like Madden and NBA Live. It’s not the premium company for a basketball game but does make some other pretty popular games.

17 Once Blamed His Real-Life Divorce On Kobe

In 2011, Shaq was divorced from Shaunie O’Neal. Well, he had someone to blame too. In a diss rap, Shaq actually blamed Kobe Bryant for his divorce. The lyrics said, “I’m a horse, Kobe ratted me out, that’s why I’m getting a divorce.”

Woah, those are some pretty sharp words from Bryant’s ex-teammate. Although Shaq later said not to take the diss seriously.

16 Was Left Off Of The Original Dream Team

The 1992 United States Olympic basketball team is known as the “original dream team.” Unfortunately, Shaq wasn’t a part of the dream. That was his rookie season, and he was left out of it. Reports show that he wasn’t happy with the decision to be part of such a legendary team.

15 Shaq Was 6'4 At 10-Years Old

It’s not a big deal, but Shaq probably wasn’t thrilled to be 6’4 at 10-years old. Most people don’t even reach that height unless they play professional sports, so he was certainly towering over the kids in class. If you think about it, that means he was taller than some teachers when he was in elementary school.

14 His Friends And Family Don't Call Him By His Nickname

With Shaq being involved with so many different businesses, he has plenty of nicknames. Oddly enough, his family and friends don’t call him by that. For celebrities, it’s good to feel like a person rather than the guy who they see on the court or on television. Shaq probably likes that feeling too around his loved ones.

13 Never Lead The NBA In Blocks Or Rebounds In A Season

Despite having the eight most blocks and 15^thmost rebounds in NBA history, he never led either category throughout his career. You would think that with how dominant Shaq was, that he would’ve finished with the lead at some point in his career. Unfortunately, it was some of the few milestones he wasn’t able to achieve.

12 Never Goes Anywhere Without Chapstick

You’ll never see Shaq with chapped lips because he never goes anywhere without Chapstick. In an interview, he mentioned that it was something he needs at all times. It makes sense considering he’s constantly interviewing or on some type of media. That might be a key for some other celebrities who always have chapped lips.

11 Doesn't Like Being Tall Becuase He's The First To Know When It's Raining

Something most people probably don’t even think about when they’re tall, as they can feel when it’s raining before others. Because they’re tall, and when the rain starts to slowly come down, Shaq can feel it before others. It might seem odd to many, but most people aren’t over seven feet tall.

10 He's A U.S. Deputy Marshall

No one really knows this, but Shaq actually has experience in law enforcement. He’s completed at least two different police academies in two different states. He was named an honorary U.S. Deputy Marshall. Rarely do you ever see a man who was a professional athlete and a current businessman, also involved in law enforcement.

9 He Was Supposed To Be With Biggie Smalls The Night He Was Killed

Supposedly, Shaq was supposed to be with Biggie Smalls the night that he was murdered. It’s weird when you hear that these celebrities were supposed to be somewhere when something bad happens. Shaq has to be grateful he wasn’t put in a bad situation, but it’s also upsetting knowing what happened where he was supposed to be.

8 Made One Three Pointer In His Career

Only once in Shaq’s historic career, has he ever made a three-pointer. Out of all the things Shaq was and will ever be known for, it won’t be for shooting beyond the arc. February 17^th, 1996 was the only day Shaq ever hit a three-pointer in his career.

Fun fact: he actually has broken more backboards than hit three-pointers.

7 He Earned A Doctoral Degree

Yes, on top of everything Shaq has done in his career, he also has a doctoral degree. Imagine being a former professional basketball player, an owner of multiple businesses, a sports broadcaster, a U.S. Deputy Marshall, and have a doctoral degree. Incredible.

Shaq received his doctoral degree in education from Barry University in 2012.

6 Grew Up Poor

Currently, Shaq’s net worth is $400 million. After knowing everything Shaq has accomplished throughout his career, would you ever expect that he was poor growing up? Shaq went from nothing to one of the most well-known celebrities in the world. It shows you that with the right motivation, you can do anything you want.

5 He's A Famous DJ

DJ Diesel on the decks. For those who don’t know, you could actually see Shaq perform at different night clubs and music festivals around the world. He won’t go by his real name, so you have to remember his DJ name. He plays a ton of trap music, which has blown up in the dance music world.

4 He Didn't Immediately Click With Kobe

One of the greatest duos in the history of basketball actually didn’t click well at first. There were plenty of stories between Shaq and Kobe’s drama through the years, which luckily didn’t interfere with what went on the basketball court. Not something you would expect from one of the most exciting duos in NBA history.

3 Rookie Shaq Hated The Smell Of Alchohol

For someone who loves partying and is even a DJ, he apparently didn’t even like the smell of alcohol as a rookie. Pretty bizarre how things changed from that to now being at night clubs and different events all the time. Even with the alcohol in the locker room during championships, Shaq had no choice but to get over it.

2 His LSU Teams Weren't Very Successful In March Madness

Even though Shaq was a star at LSU, he couldn’t get the Fighting Tigers very far in March Madness. In fact, the furthest he was able to take his team was to the second round. None of that mattered because he became an NBA champion, but he did fail to lead his college team to glory.

1 Didn't Have A Good Relationship With His Father Until His 40s

Shaq’s father was an addict when he was younger, which damaged their relationship for many years. As of late, their relationship has improved, and they finally have a “good relationship.” It’s sweet of Shaq to put the past behind him and grow that relationship with his father that they never had.