Shaqir O’Neal is following in his father, Shaquille O’Neal’s, footsteps—chasing big moves both on and off the court. The 22-year-old has already been trying hard to make a name in the college basketball scene ever since committing to playing for the Florida A&M Rattlers in July 2024. In March 2025, Shaqir transferred to Sacramento State under new coach Mike Bibby—yet he’s still attracting off‑court opportunities.
Meanwhile, Shaquille O’Neal just revealed his next title: Professor O’Neal. Yep, NBA All-Star, DJ, and a business genius all seem to still be less for the ex-Los Angeles Lakers star. And his son is right parallel to him on the path of being much more than just a basketball athlete.
Recently, Shaqir took a stylish turn, testing the waters of social media fashion influencing. He posted a FashionNova capsule—dark brown trousers, crisp white tee, then green shorts and sweater—under the tag @novamen. FashionNova, as per Simi Cart’s Ecommerce Insights, stands at a net worth of $1.3 billion. “S/O to @novamen,” he captioned one post. In the pics, he looked sharp in dark brown pants with a crisp white tee and a jacket blending white and brown tones. In another look, he went for green shorts paired with a green-and-white striped long-sleeve t-shirt, topped off with a green sweater casually draped over his shoulders—simple, but smooth.
It’s the kind of brand collaboration that would make any parent proud, especially when the label belongs to billionaire Richard Saghian, the man behind a $2.1 billion empire. And let’s be honest—Shaq knows a thing or two about mixing business with personality. At 53, he’s still out chasing fresh goals.
During a recent episode of Inside the NBA, Shaquille O’Neal made a surprising but heartfelt announcement. Sporting an Alabama State University sweatshirt and flashing a fraternity sign, he told co-host Ernie Johnson, “From now I would like to be addressed as Professor O’Neal because when I graduate in two years, I will leave you and become a college professor on mentorship and business administration.”
Big Diesel’s HBCU passion extends to his son—both have championed Black colleges
Shaquille O’Neal’s 22-year-old son desired to change the narrative around HBCU basketball programs
Big Diesel has always had a deep appreciation for HBCU culture, and that hasn’t changed. Not long ago, he was spotted soaking in the lively energy of an HBCU basketball tournament in Atlanta. His reaction? Pure enthusiasm. “The DJs, the culture, the band, the cheerleaders—it’s just fun. And I’m a really big supporter of HBCUs,” he shared. And that passion clearly runs in the family.
Back in 2021, his son, Shaqir O’Neal, made a meaningful choice when he committed to Texas Southern University. His goal? To “change the narrative” around basketball programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. While the intent was strong, the results on the court were limited. Over the 2022–2023 season, Shaqir played in 20 games, averaging just 1.8 points and 1.8 rebounds. Looking for more chances to grow, he entered the NCAA transfer portal in March 2024 and soon landed at Florida A&M University—another HBCU—hoping for a bigger role.
Fast forward to March 2025, and Shaqir made another move, this time to Sacramento State University. He now joins forces with new head coach and former NBA standout Mike Bibby. Shaqir’s path—from Texas Southern to Florida A&M to Sacramento State—testifies to his commitment to HBCUs and his own growth. Something he seems to be trying with different stints, including the recent one with FashionNova.
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