Shaquille O’Neal has always had a larger than life persona to him. Much of that has to do with his enormous size — and, more specifically, Shaq’s height.
Not only did Shaquille O’Neal’s height pave the way for one of the greatest careers in NBA history, but it’s also helped him remain in the public spotlight as an analyst, brand ambassador and television star.
You’re probably here to learn more about the Hall of Famer’s incredible size. We’ll tell you everything you need to know about Shaq’s weight, height, and how it all has impacted his life.
About Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille O’Neal, better known as “Shaq”, is one of the most dominant players in the history of professional basketball. Throughout his hall of fame career, he collected 4 NBA Championships, A Rookie Of The Year Award, A Most Valuable Player Award, an Olympic Gold Medal, and was named to the NBA All-Star team 14 times.
Born on March 6, 1972 in Newark, New Jersey, Shaq played for six different teams during his Hall of Fame career. He was drafted first overall my the Orlando Magic in the 1992 NBA Draft. After four seasons there, he joined the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won three of his four titles–the the other coming during his ensuing four-year stint with the Miami Heat.
Shaq spent the next few years with the Phoenix Suns and Cleveland Cavaliers, before playing his final season in 2010-11 as a member of the Boston Celtics. In 2016, he was inducted into the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame.
In the time since he retired, Shaq can be seen almost everywhere, from car insurance commercials to the WWE.
Shaquille O Neal’s Height & Weight
Basketball players are known for being above average in size, however much of Shaq’s success was due to his massive size, allowing him to stand above most others on the court. Shaq’s height is listed at 7 feet, 1 inch (2.16m) and throughout his career he played at a weight of over 320 lbs (145kg). His imposing presence combined with an aggressive attitude towards playing made him one of the most feared competitors in basketball history.
O’Neal was born into a tall family, with both his mother and father measuring north of 6 feet (1.83m). By the age of 13 he had already surpassed their height by several inches, measuring in at 6’6″ (1.98m).
Early Life
Shaquille O’Neal’s stepfather was a military man, and his work forced the family to move abroad during his youth. When Shaq returned to the US for his Junior year of high school, he had reached 6’10” (2.08m) in height. During his 2 seasons at Robert G. Cole High School in San Antonio, TX, Shaq led the team to a record of 68-1. During the 1989 season, he amassed an incredible 791 rebounds, a state record that still stands today.
Following high school, Shaq played for Louisiana State University, where he also studied business. Following 3 seasons for the Tigers, O’Neal elected to leave college for the ranks of the professional leagues. In spite of initially leaving college to go pro, Shaq did keep up with his education, eventually earning a bachelor’s degree in General Studies, an MBA, and an Educational Doctorate in Human Resource Development.
How Shaq’s Height Helped His NBA Career
As a professional basketball player, O’Neal’s size was a significant driver for his success. As a center, his role was to protect the area around the basket to allow his team to score and to prevent opponents from doing so. His enormous size made him exceptionally well suited for this position. Throughout his career, he averaged over 20 points per game, many of which came via his eccentric slam dunks.
With his gigantic frame positioned so close to the net, it wasn’t often that Shaq would miss when shooting. In fact, he led the NBA 10 times in percent of shots made, finishing with an astounding career total of over 58%.
Perhaps more impressive was his defensive prowess, as O’Neal finished his career with an average of over 10 rebounds per game and 2 blocked shots, placing him 14th and 8th all-time in those categories.
Shaq’s Height & Weight, And More!
Given his incredible work ethic, charisma, and immense size, it is no surprise that Shaq has been successful beyond sports. That includes his music, broadcasting, entertainment, and business endeavors. Just like when he’s playing ball, if it looks like Shaq wants it, he is gonna get it!
Did you learn a thing or two about Shaq and his massive size? Want to stay up to date on everything about Shaq, LeBron James, and the rest of the basketball world? Be sure to check out our NBA page for constant updates.
