Shaquille O’Neal is unstoppable-and not just on the court. The former Los Angeles Lakers legend has built a second career as a beloved sportscaster, but now, he’s preparing for yet another transformation. With retirement from television on the horizon, O’Neal is already planning his next chapter, and it’s one that might surprise fans.
In the September 2024 issue of Entrepreneur, O’Neal reflected on the unexpected nature of his NBA retirement, which was triggered by a career-ending Achilles tendon injury.
“I was actually nervous after I retired because the way I left the game was a career-ending injury,” he said. “Good thing I joined TNT… It kept my name up there.”
Now, nearly 15 years after leaving the court, Shaquille O’Neal is determined not to be caught off guard again. He’s already laying the groundwork for his next career.
Shaquille O’Neal returns to college
In a recent episode of the Armchair Expert podcast, the former Lakers star shared his thoughts on aging and future plans: “I don’t want to say I’m scared, just that I lived a wonderful life, but, you know, in seven summers I’ll be 60.”
As part of his preparation for life after TNT, Shaquille O’Neal has returned to his alma mater, Louisiana State University (LSU), to pursue a degree in Sports Psychology. But his ambitions go beyond academic achievement.
While O’Neal initially aimed to become a sports psychologist, his focus has shifted toward mentorship. He explained: “I wanted that title and then, you know… but I’m changing it to mentorship. A lot of these young athletes, young men, need mentors in their lives.”
Shaq: From sports psychology to mentorship
True to form, Shaq is taking this new goal seriously. He’s immersing himself in the study of mentorship and plans to guide future generations of athletes-not from an office, but through direct, personal support.
“I’m learning a lot about mentorship, but I’m probably going to lean toward being a mentor rather than being a, you know, sports psychologist.”
With his experience, charisma, and deep understanding of the challenges athletes face, Shaquille O’Neal is poised to make a lasting impact in his next career.
Read the full article here
