It was announced on April 29 that National Basketball Association (NBA) Hall of Famer Dr. Shaquille O’Neal will be the general manager for the Sacramento State men’s basketball team. Photo courtesy of Sacramento State Athletics 

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) – National Basketball Association (NBA) Hall of Famer Dr. Shaquille O’Neal will serve as the general manager of Sacramento State University men’s basketball starting in the 2025-2026 season.

O’Neal joins the program shortly after the appointment of former Sacramento Kings star Mike Bibby as head coach and the recruitment of his son, Shaqir O’Neal, who was signed to the team in early April.

Shaquille O’Neal, famously known as Shaq, will focus on recruitment, marketing and holistic player development both on and off the basketball court. He has waived a salary and will serve in a volunteer capacity, according to Sacramento State Athletics.

The staff page for Shaquille O’Neal for Sacramento State Men’s Basketballs states that he was born in Newark, New Jersey, on March 6, 1972. He is considered to be one of the most dominant basketball players in National Basketball Association’s history. Standing at seven-foot-one inches, weighing 325 pounds, Shaq’s larger-than-life personality and powerful athleticism resulted in worldwide admiration and one of the largest fan bases in sports and entertainment.

“I know what it takes to build a winning culture. Coach Bibby, President Wood and Athletic Director Mark Orr are putting something powerful together at Sacramento State and I’m honored to be part of it,” Shaquille O’Neal shared to Sacramento State Athletics. “This is more about banners and trophies but preparing these student-athletes for life on-and-off the court.”

Shaquille O’Neal played for six teams throughout his 19-year basketball career and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.

“His presence, experience and leadership will elevate everything we’re building here and that’s why I reached out to Shaq to get involved with the program,” Bibby said.

Sacramento State President Luke Wood also shared his thoughts on Shaquille O’Neal’s arrival as general manager to the Hornets.

“This is an incredible moment for Sacramento State. Shaquille O’Neal is a difference-maker in everything he touches and we are thrilled to have him join our program. I’m especially grateful to Coach Bibby for making this extraordinary partnership possible,” Wood said. “He is showing what we already knew that he will transform Sacramento State Basketball and elevate the program to a top tier national program.”

Shaquille O’Neal’s son, Shaqir O’Neal, was the first recruit following Bibby’s appointment as head coach of the men’s basketball team. In a news release from Sacramento State Athletics on April 5, it was announced that Shaqir O’Neal will be a senior next season playing for the Hornets.

 

On April 4, Sacramento State’s Men’s Basketball head coach Mike Bibby recruited Shaqir O’Neal, son of National Basketball Association (NBA) Hall of Famer Dr. Shaquille O’Neal, just three days after Bibby’s appointment. Photo courtesy of Sacramento State Athletics

Here are Shaqir O’Neal’s basketball career background and highlights. Standing at six-foot-eight inches, 200-pounds, he is a forward position from Los Angeles. He played his junior season (2024 to 2025) at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, after spending his first three seasons (redshirt in 2021 to 2022) with Texas Southern of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

Last season at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Shaqir O’Neal played in 27 games (15 starts), averaged 6.7 points and 3.2 rebounds on 50% shooting (65-129) from the field and 41% (17-42) from the three-point line. He scored in double figures seven times, including a pair of 20-point games and had a double-double (12 points, 10 rebounds) in a win over Alcorn State.

Shaqir O’Neal played in 40 games during his two active seasons at Texas Southern (2022 to 2024).

He was a three-star recruit out of high school, being a 2021 graduate of Union Grove High School in McDonough, Georgia, Shaqir O’Neal played his senior season for the Wolverines. He played his first three prep seasons with Crossroads High School in Santa Monica.

“We are pleased to announce the signing of Shaqir. He gives us size and tremendous versatility. Shaqir has made a habit of performing his best during games against the strongest competition,” Bibby said.