Shaquille O'Neal Admits He Doesn't Text Current or Former NBA Players Because 'They're A--holes'
Shaquille O'Neal Admits He Doesn't Text Current or Former NBA Players Because 'They're A--holes'
Kimberlee SpeakmanSat, April 18, 2026 at 10:29 PM UTC
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Shaquille O'Neal in 1996Credit: Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty -
Shaquille O'Neal revealed in a recent interview why he doesn't text any current or former players in the NBA
He also discussed his more down-to-earth approach when it comes to attending events or dealing with fans
The retired basketball player, 54, said he has turned his attention toward education instead of fame and is working on getting a master’s in liberal arts
Shaquille O'Neal isn't keeping up with his NBA peers.
The former Los Angeles Lakers player, 54, revealed to the New York Post, in a story published on Saturday, April 18, that he no longer texts any former or current players in the league.
When asked who he keeps in contact with, O’Neal said, “None. I don’t like athletes or superstars because they’re a--holes."
“I denounced myself from being a celebrity about 10 years ago because those people are weird. I’m not weird,” he added.
Shaquille O'Neal playing for the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996Credit: Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty
He noted that he has a more down-to-earth approach to things, and that he moves through life differently from other NBA players — which is something that’s fine with him.
“Whenever I come, it’s me and two guys. No entourage. There’s nothing but homeboys coming in,” he explained. “We come in here, we take care of business… we sign autographs. We treat people with honor and respect. I want to be a regular guy.”
In the past, O’Neal has not shied away from sharing his thoughts on negative things that have gone on in the league. Back in October, he said he was “ashamed” of NBA head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former NBA player and coach Damon Jones for their arrests in connection with an alleged gambling scheme tied to the Mafia.
While hosting Inside the NBA, O'Neal said that he knew Billups and Jones — the latter of whom he played with on the Miami Heat — “very” well and that he was “ashamed that those guys would put their families and their careers in jeopardy.”
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“There’s an old saying in the ‘hood: ‘All money ain’t good money,’ ” O'Neal said. “So if you’re making $9 million … like, how much more do you need? Especially if you know you get caught, you could do jail time, lose your career, put a bad image on yourself, your family or on the NBA.”
“They dropped the ball,” he added.
One of the ways that the retired player himself stays grounded is by focusing on education. O'Neal told the Post that he is working on getting a master’s in liberal arts. It will be his fourth university degree in total.
“I thought about sports psychology, but it was a little too much for me, the psychology field,” he told the outlet.
Shaquille O'Neal in 2023Credit: Rodin Eckenroth/Getty
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O’Neal, who earned a doctor of education from Barry University in Miami in 2012, said it was important to continue hitting the books to set an example for his six children — Taahirah, Myles, Shareef, Shaqir, Amirah and Me'arah — and his young fans.
“We talk about the NIL [student-athlete using their name, image or likeness to earn money], what’s going on now. People always go to the money first, but you have to have the education on how to manage the money,” he said.
“So I want my children and those that follow me to say, ‘OK, he’s educated. Maybe I should do it,' ” he added.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
