Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal is Born

Today in Masonic History Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal is born in 1972.

Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal was an American professional basketball player.

O'Neal was born in Newark, New Jersey. In high school O'Neal played for a high school in New Jersey and on in Texas. O'Neal's step-father was a career Army Reservist and the family would travel with him to assignments. On a trip to Germany where his step-father was stationed, O'Neal had the opportunity to meet his future coach at Louisiana State University.

After High School, O'Neal studied business at Louisiana State University (LSU). On the court for LSU, O'Neal was a two time All-American, two time SEC player of the year and the recipient of the Adolph Rupp Trophy as NCAA men's basketball player of the year. O'Neal would start playing professional basketball prior to graduating LSU. He did continue on with his education after joining the NBA.

From 1992 to 2011, O'Neal played in the NBA for a variety of teams. His career began with the Orlando Magic in 1992. While there the Magic climbed from 41-41 season ending record to a 60-22 record by the time he left 1996. In those 4 seasons the team had it's first trip to the playoffs and appeared twice in the finals.

In 1996 as a free agent, O'Neal went to the Los Angeles Lakers. He would stay there for 8 years. In LA he would win his first NBA championship.

After leaving the the Lakers, O'Neal would head back to Florida to the Miami Heat where he would play for 4 years. He would then play for the Phoenix Suns, Cleavland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics all for one year each.

Off the court O'Neal was many accomplishments as well. Fulfilling a promise to his mother, he returned and finished his college degree at LSU. Later he would get an MBA from an Online university. He has starred in a variety of movies, appeared on televisions shows, voiced cartoon versions of himself and has started business ventures.

O'Neal was made a Mason on Site in 2011 and joined Widow's Son Lodge No. 28 in Boston, Massachusetts.

This article provided by Brother Eric C. Steele.