'He's done it by himself. I'm proud of him' - Shaquille O'Neal on his stepson pursuing a career independently

Shaquille O'Neal earned nearly $300 million during his impressive NBA career. You might think that's more than enough to support any career his children or even grandchildren might choose. While that may be true, it isn't the path the Hall of Famer wants to take.

Emphasizing "respectable nepotism," Shaq encourages them to carve out their own paths. This is evident in his stepson, Myles O'Neal, who is pursuing a career as a DJ. The fact that he has found success on his own means a lot to his famous dad.

In a 2023 interview, "Big Diesel" shared his pride in Myles's accomplishments, stating, "He's done it by himself," and added, "I'm proud of him."

A rising star in the DJ world

Myles was born on May 8, 1997, to Shaunie Henderson. A few years later, she married Shaquille, a superstar center for the Los Angeles Lakers at the time.

While growing up, Myles explored modeling and acting before pursuing his DJ dream. He received some cautious support after sharing this ambition with his then-retired NBA stepfather. Shaq, also known in the music world as "DJ Diesel," agreed to help but only by getting the necessary equipment.

From that point on, Myles largely forged his own path, and it seems he made the most of it. According to O'Neal Sr., a 15-time All-Star and three-time Final MVP, his stepson is now "killing it" in the scene and has become one of the "top DJs worldwide."

The 27-year-old has certainly gained traction after performing at major events, including a reported residency at Wynn Las Vegas in 2022. Myles has also released self-produced tracks like "All I Need" and "Naked."

A memorable moment in his early career happened at Tomorrowland 2024, where he teamed up with his dad to perform as the "O'Neal Boyz."

Success without taking shortcuts

In supporting his oldest stepson while ensuring his fame and wealth aren't fully exploited, "Diesel" has embraced what he calls "respectable nepotism." To clarify this term, the 2000 MVP highlighted that if any of his six children want his financial help, they must first do their "due diligence," which means putting together a solid business plan.

"Since you want me to be the bank, I'm gonna do exactly what the bank is going to do to you," remarked the 52-year-old.

This approach strikes a good balance between offering support and avoiding shortcuts, which is crucial, as building a successful and sustainable career often involves facing challenges. Those challenges provide valuable lessons—and ultimately can't be learned if everything is simply handed to you.

The issue of famous athletes' children receiving special treatment has recently gained attention in the NBA, particularly with the Lakers' LeBron and Bronny James. However, Shaq seems to understand that a different approach can offer significant advantages—something he likely learned during his own upbringing as a young "Diesel" reportedly overcame numerous obstacles on his way to becoming one of the greatest centers ever.