Shaquille O’Neal is one of the most dominant players in NBA history and a massive success off the court. He has built an incredible empire through basketball salaries and smart business moves. Even in retirement, Shaq continues to make millions every year.
In this article, you will know Shaquille O’Neal’s net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship, and more.
Shaquille O’Neal’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Shaquille Rashaun O’Neal |
| Date of Birth | March 6, 1972 |
| Age | 53 |
| Education | Louisiana State University (BA), University of Phoenix (MBA), Barry University (Ed.D.) |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 7 feet 1 inch (2.16 m) |
| Weight | ~325 lbs (147 kg) |
| Turned Pro | 1992 |
| Net Worth | $500 Million |
| Career Earnings | ~$292 Million (NBA Salary) |
| Wife/Partner | Annie Ilonzeh (Partner), Shaunie Henderson (Ex-Wife) |
| Instagram Profile | @shaq |
| Twitter Profile | @SHAQ |
Early Career
Shaquille O’Neal was born in Newark, New Jersey, but he moved around often because his stepfather was in the military. He played high school basketball at Robert G. Cole High School in San Antonio, Texas.
His team was very strong and won the state championship during his senior year. Shaq was already very tall and skilled as a teenager. After high school, he decided to play college basketball at Louisiana State University (LSU).
At LSU, Shaq became a superstar very quickly. He was named the College Player of the Year in 1991 because no one could stop him near the basket. He played for LSU for three seasons and set many records for rebounds and blocked shots.
He was a two-time All-American player and became famous across the country for his power. In 1992, he chose to leave college early to join the NBA, where he was the number one pick in the draft.
Professional Career
The Orlando Magic selected Shaq with the first overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft. He won the Rookie of the Year award and instantly became one of the best players in the league.
After four years in Orlando, he moved to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996. This is where he had his biggest success. He teamed up with Kobe Bryant to win three NBA championships in a row from 2000 to 2002.
Shaq later played for the Miami Heat, where he won his fourth NBA championship in 2006 alongside Dwyane Wade. As he got older, he played for the Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Boston Celtics.
He retired in 2011 as one of the greatest centers ever. Over his career, he won the MVP award once and was an All-Star 15 times. His number has been retired by the Magic, Lakers, and Heat to honor his amazing career.
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Wife
Shaquille O’Neal was previously married to Shaunie Henderson (formerly O’Neal). They got married in 2002 and had a high-profile relationship for many years. They have four children together: Shareef, Amirah, Shaqir, and Me’arah.
Unfortunately, they separated in 2009 and finalized their divorce in 2011. Shaq also has a daughter named Taahirah with his former girlfriend Arnetta Yardbourgh, and he helped raise Shaunie’s son, Myles, who he calls his own.
Currently, Shaq is linked to actress Annie Ilonzeh. They have been seen together since 2019, though they keep their relationship very private.
Shaq often speaks about how much he loves his six children. He is very strict about their education and tells them they must work hard because his money belongs to him, not them.
Shaquille O’Neal’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Shaquille O’Neal has an estimated net worth of $500 million.
Contract
Shaq signed some of the biggest contracts in NBA history. His rookie deal with the Orlando Magic was worth about $40 million over seven years, which was huge at the time.
His most famous contract was with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996, worth $120 million for seven years.
Later, he signed a massive 5-year extension with the Miami Heat worth $100 million. These deals made him one of the highest-paid athletes of his generation.
Salary
During his playing days, Shaq consistently earned over $20 million per season. His highest single-season salary was over $27 million with the Miami Heat in the 2004-2005 season.
Even in his final years, he commanded a high salary until he took a smaller deal with the Celtics to try for one last ring.
Career Earnings
| Season | Team | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1992-93 | Orlando Magic | $3,000,000 |
| 1993-94 | Orlando Magic | $3,900,000 |
| 1994-95 | Orlando Magic | $4,800,000 |
| 1995-96 | Orlando Magic | $5,700,000 |
| 1996-97 | Los Angeles Lakers | $10,714,000 |
| 1997-98 | Los Angeles Lakers | $12,857,143 |
| 1998-99 | Los Angeles Lakers | $15,000,000 |
| 1999-00 | Los Angeles Lakers | $17,142,858 |
| 2000-01 | Los Angeles Lakers | $19,285,715 |
| 2001-02 | Los Angeles Lakers | $21,428,572 |
| 2002-03 | Los Angeles Lakers | $23,571,429 |
| 2003-04 | Los Angeles Lakers | $24,749,999 |
| 2004-05 | Miami Heat | $27,696,430 |
| 2005-06 | Miami Heat | $20,000,000 |
| 2006-07 | Miami Heat | $20,000,000 |
| 2007-08 | Miami Heat/Phoenix Suns | $20,000,000 |
| 2008-09 | Phoenix Suns | $21,000,000 |
| 2009-10 | Cleveland Cavaliers | $20,000,000 |
| 2010-11 | Boston Celtics | $1,352,181 |
| Total | Career Earnings | ~$292,198,327 |
Career Stats
| Category | Career Total/Average |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 1,207 |
| Points Per Game (PPG) | 23.7 |
| Rebounds Per Game (RPG) | 10.9 |
| Assists Per Game (APG) | 2.5 |
| Blocks Per Game (BPG) | 2.3 |
| Field Goal Percentage (FG%) | 58.2% |
| Total Points | 28,596 |
| Total Rebounds | 13,099 |
| Total Blocks | 2,732 |
FAQs
1. How big is Shaquille O’Neal’s shoe size?
Shaq wears a massive size 22 shoe, which is one of the largest in NBA history. He often struggled to find shoes that fit him properly when he was younger.
2. Does Shaquille O’Neal really have a doctorate degree?
Yes, he earned his doctorate in education (Ed.D.) from Barry University in 2012. He values education highly and promised his mother he would finish his schooling.
3. Is Shaquille O’Neal a billionaire?
No, Shaq is not a billionaire yet. His net worth is around $500 million, but he is working toward that goal with his many successful business investments.
4. What is Shaq’s DJ name?
He performs music under the name “DJ Diesel.” He tours the world playing electronic dance music at big festivals and clubs, which is his passion after basketball.
5. How many NBA championships did Shaq win?
He won four NBA championships in his career. He won three titles with the Los Angeles Lakers (2000-2002) and one title with the Miami Heat (2006).
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