Shaquille O’Neal blended academics with comedy on Saturday as he received his master’s degree from Louisiana State University and used the occasion to continue his longtime playful rivalry with Charles Barkley. During LSU’s commencement ceremony, O’Neal walked alongside fellow graduates to receive his Master of Liberal Arts degree.
Before he reached the stage, the announcer introduced him as “Shaquille ‘I Hate Barkley’ O’Neal,” drawing loud cheers and laughter from the crowd. O’Neal smiled as the arena erupted, with the moment serving as another nod to the longtime back-and-forth humor shared by the two former NBA stars during their years together on Inside the NBA.
Video of the moment quickly made the rounds online, including an Instagram Reel that captured the crowd’s reaction and O’Neal enjoying the introduction before accepting his diploma. The graduation marked another academic milestone for O’Neal, who first attended LSU in the early 1990s before leaving for the NBA Draft.
He later returned to complete his bachelor’s degree in general studies from LSU in 2000. That same year, the university retired his jersey number in recognition of his accomplishments with the Tigers basketball program.
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Shaq remains one of the most accomplished players in Louisiana State University basketball history, ranking fifth in school history in career points and second in rebounds. LSU further honored his legacy by unveiling a statue in his honor in September 2011, cementing his place among the program’s all-time greats.
Shaquille O’Neal Continues Expanding Academic Career Beyond Basketball
The newly earned LSU degree is the fourth college degree completed by Shaquille O’Neal. After finishing his undergraduate studies, he earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Phoenix and later completed a doctoral degree in education from Barry University in 2012.
O’Neal has publicly discussed his long term academic goals in several interviews. During an appearance on NBC’s Today, he explained his interest in pursuing sports psychology while completing the LSU program.
The Lakers legend explained, “I’m working on my master’s of liberal arts right now at LSU. This is no disrespect to sports psychologists, but if you haven’t been in certain situations, how can you help me out? I want to become a sports psychologist, and I want to be the first sports psychologist that’s available in both academia and sports.”
He also reflected on returning to school during an appearance on In Depth with Graham Bensinger, saying, “I left college my junior year, so I was only a few credits short. So I go back to school, and I’m loving it, but I’m hating it at the same time. But I’m like, ‘Just let me do it for my mom.’”
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O’Neal has previously stated that he hopes to eventually transition from television into education and mentorship. His latest graduation adds another credential to a post basketball career that has included broadcasting, business ventures, and academic achievements.
