Standing at 7-foot-1, Shaquille O’Neal has always towered over his competition—and pretty much everyone else. Back in 2022, when Shaq showed up on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, viewers got a first-hand look at just how massive he really is. And while Fallon tried to keep his cool, what happened next had the entire audience—and the internet—laughing out loud.
Because next, Fallon decided to try on Shaq’s blazer. Now, Fallon himself isn’t exactly short at 6 feet tall, but when he slipped on that massive jacket—size 58, by the way—it looked like a kid playing dress-up in dad’s closet. For context, an XXL typically ranges from size 47 to 49. Therefore, a size 58 is exceptionally large. And just when you think it’s all fun and games, here’s the kicker—Shaq once turned his giant size into an unpaid problem for the NBA.
Apparently, the First Break podcast reveals an unexpected twist in this story when iconic designer Jeff Hamilton spilled the tea. Talking about the custom leather jacket he made for Shaq during the NBA’s 50th anniversary, Hamilton said, “I knew I used a lot of material when PETA sent me a cease and desist letter.” That’s how huge the thing was. He also credited Allen Iverson for kick-starting the oversized trend back in the early 2000s—something Shaq clearly embraced.
But here’s the real shocker—Shaquille O’Neal didn’t want just a regular oversized jacket. “So, Shaq is a 4X, but he wanted an 8X,” Hamilton shared. “Even Kobe wore a 4X… I think I was just trying to Shaq double just because of all the leather you have to get.” With hosts Kid Jay and Byron Scott repeatedly chiming in, “that’s a lot of leather,” Hamilton joked the cost had him ready to call up Adam Silver.
Finally, Hamilton admitted with a smile, “Remind me, I have to send the NBA for the 50. I forgot to charge you for the 75. And the 100.” The hosts were stunned. Turns out, the NBA still owes him—big time.
But on the bright side, Hamilton casually confirmed he’s the guy designing the NBA’s 100th-anniversary jackets. Now that’s one way to collect. But did you know that Hamilton has maintained a strong relationship with the NBA over the years?
Jeff Hamilton: the man behind the iconic NBA championship jackets
If you’ve ever seen an NBA champ rocking a leather jacket right after hoisting the trophy, chances are it came straight from Jeff Hamilton’s studio. His designs ruled the 1990s and 2000s, becoming a part of NBA’s championship DNA. From Michael Jordan to Kobe Bryant, and even music icons like Madonna and George Michael—Hamilton’s work wasn’t just fashion, it was cultural currency. In a chat with Bernstein, the designer also reflected on his recent projects and how fashion, for him, has always been more than clothes—it’s art.
Not only that, but Hamilton’s journey started way before NBA leather made headlines. “I’m very flattered to be involved in the evolution of fashion,” he shared, recalling how America emerged as a style power in the late ’80s. Before going solo, Hamilton played a huge part in turning GUESS? men’s line into a multimillion-dollar hit.
According to a YouTube video by Kevin Dinges, his career reportedly brought in $75 million. These days, he runs the Jeff Hamilton Studio and even produces the Street Art Fair. Oh, and he also brought back his NBA jackets in 2020 for the Lakers’ championship run.
Interestingly, it all began with Reggie Theus. Then came MJ. And soon, the stars kept coming—both from sports and Hollywood. Hamilton even made six custom jackets for Shaquille O’Neal alone, marking everything from the Lakers’ iconic three-peat to Shaq’s Orlando jersey retirement.
Kobe Bryant Championship picture
Jeff Hamilton’s jackets are premium collectibles, with prices ranging from approximately $850 for standard designs to $1,200 for special editions. Limited edition collaborations, such as the OVO NBA Jeff Hamilton Team Icons Wool Jacket, have fetched prices up to $1,806 on resale platforms like StockX
But it’s not just about status. “People want to buy my jackets because they want to make a statement,” he said. And with fans hanging his work like trophies on their walls, Hamilton’s legacy is stitched into more than just fabric—it’s stitched into moments.
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