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Shaquille O’Neal Makes Personal Admission About Parenthood

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Madz Dizon | Last updated Nov 20, 2024 5:21 AM ET

NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal recently opened up about how his presence at his children’s basketball games can be both a source of pride and a challenge.

The 52-year-old father of six admitted that while he is "super proud" of all his children, his courtside support often leaves them feeling nervous.

“A lot of times when I go watch them play, they get nervous,” O’Neal revealed in an interview with PEOPLE.

O’Neal emphasized that he tries to watch from a distance to avoid unsettling them. His youngest daughter, Me’Arah, recently made her collegiate debut with the Florida Gators, scoring seven points and recording five rebounds and two blocks.

Meanwhile, his son Shaqir, who now plays for the Florida A&M Rattlers, also tipped off his season with promising performances.

O’Neal credits his parenting approach to lessons learned from his own upbringing.

“My mom and dad never really bothered me,” he shared.

He described his philosophy as "déjà vu parenting," where he nurtures his kids with guidance but allows them to grow independently once they reach adulthood.

While O’Neal avoids over-involvement, he doesn’t shy away from expressing pride.

“My baby girl had 18 points playing yesterday,” he boasted, referring to the Gators’ dominant victory over Chicago State. Despite his visible pride, he reiterated his effort to respect his children’s space.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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