O'Neal shares an unspoken account of his student life at an Historically Black College and University (HBCU)
Shaq Drops the Mic on HBCUs
NBA legend, TV personality, and podcast king, Shaquille O'Neal, spilled the beans about his time as an HBCU student in a lively episode of his podcast, "The Big Podcast with Shaq". Although the nitty-gritty details of his HBCU days are yet to be fully unearthed, one thing is for sure - Shaq's got a soft spot for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Caught in a question about his HBCU support, Shaq dished out a surprising tale.
"Alright, so my son was just at an HBCU...FAMU until the portal thing. He went into the transfer portal, but I always supported it was an HBCU that helped me graduate from LSU. A lot of people don't know the story, but I had to transfer to Southern for summer school. So it, I mean, I've always been a big supporter."
Shaquille O'Neal's whirlwind ride at an HBCU would have been a spectacle, no doubt. As a basketball titan, he would have been the star player, leading Southern University's men's basketball team to unprecedented heights, possibly even a March Madness run.
However, even though he attended LSU as a full-time student, his ties to HBCUs run deep. Reminiscing on his difficulties in biology at LSU, he candidly admitted to reaching out to Southern University for help, proving his enduring affiliation with HBCUs.
In another context, Shaq even hinted that had it not been for an HBCU, he wouldn't have graduated from LSU. His passion for HBCUs is undeniable, as he praised their unique atmosphere, especially during the 2025 SWAC Tournament in Atlanta, which featured his son's former team, Florida A&M.
"Going there, the flavor, the feeling-like, sometimes I sit and I say, 'Man, I wish I would've went to an HBCU,' because I went to the HBCU tournament when it was in Atlanta a couple weeks ago. And the DJs, the culture, the band, the cheerleaders-it's just fun. And I'm a really big supporter of HBCUs."
If the tales from Shaq's HBCU days ever see the light of day, it'll be an epic ride through the annals of college basketball history. His membership in Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., which was founded at Howard University in 1911, solidifies his ongoing connection to these esteemed institutions.
- In a lively podcast episode, Shaq shared his affection for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), citing his transfer to Southern University for summer school during his time at LSU.
- Shaq's son's HBCU experience at FAMU sparked an interesting conversation about the NBA legend's support for HBCUs, revealing a possible interest in education-and-self-development at these institutions.
- As a basketball star, Shaq's presence at Southern University would have made for an intriguing chapter in the school's sports history, potentially leading the men's basketball team to new heights, including a March Madness run.
- Shaq's philanthropy extended to HBCUs, as he candidly admitted to reaching out to Southern University for help during his biology struggles at LSU, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to personal-growth and academic support at these institutions.
- At the 2025 SWAC Tournament in Atlanta, Shaq expressed his admiration for the vibrant atmosphere at HBCUs, including the music, culture, band, and cheerleaders, indicating a personal connection that could extend beyond his basketball career into the realm of enthusiasms like sports and entertainment.
