Shaquille O'Neal
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Real Identity: Shaquille Rashaun "Shaq" O'Neal
Affiliation(s): National Basketball Association, Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, and Cleveland Cavaliers
Appearances (SS): Static Shaq
Powers/Skills: Above Average Physical Attributes
Voiced By: Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille O'Neal was born on March 6, 1972 in Newark, New Jersey. In his early years, O'Neal practiced basketball at a local Boys and Girls Club of America. Soon enough, he garnered national attention while still attending Linton Middle School. He then led his Robert G. Cole High School team, in Texas, to a state title in his senior year. During this time, O'Neal attended a basketball camp and was mentored by a counselor named Robert Hawkins, whom O'Neal nicknamed "Big Man." In 1989, O'Neal set a state record of 791 rebounds. After high school, O'Neal attended Louisiana State Unversity and played on the Mens Basketball team under Coach Dale Brown. During this, O'Neal won various awards: All-American twice, SEC player of the year twice, Adolph Rupp Trophy (NCAA Men's Basketball Player of the Year) in 1991, set the NCAA record for blocked shots in a game with 17 blocks against Mississippi State on December 3, 1990, and was inducted into the LSU Hall of Fame.
He left college early to pursue a career in the NBA. In 1992, O'Neal, now 7 feet 1 in height and 325 pounds in weight, was the first overall pick in the NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic. The summer before joining the Magic, O'Neal trained under Magic Johnson, a Hall of Fame NBA player for the Los Angeles Lakers. He earned the 1993 Rookie of the Year, posted triple doubles, and led the Magic to consecutive Play-Off appearances. In 1996, O'Neal played on the United States Olympic team and joined the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent on a seven year contract worth $121 million. After Phil Jackson took over as coach in 1999, O'Neal enjoyed numerous Most Valuable Player awards and three consecutive NBA titles. He returned to LSU and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in General Studies. Ultimately, O'Neal was famous for his strength on the court, utilizing a drop step and hook shots to dominate players.
Shaquille O'Neal and his east coast public relations liaison, Tracy Flackman, arrived in Dakota City. O'Neal initially agreed to hold a basketball mini-camp for children at the Freeman Community Center, where Robert Hawkins worked. Flackman added on other publicity events: an appearance on Good Day Dakota, a mall opening, photo shoot at the marina, and the Mayor's fundraiser. O'Neal only wanted to relax in Dakota but went along with Flackman's schedule. He invited the Hawkins to his hotel for a dinner and video games. However, Flackman turned the dinner into a big party. To complicate matters, the Ruffpack, a gang of metahumans, infiltrated the party to hunt down Static. O'Neal left in the commotion with the Hawkins and stayed the night with them. He then went with Virgil Hawkins to the old community center to play some basketball. O'Neal realized that Hawkins was Static but sympathized and promised to keep it a secret. He then helped Static defeat the Ruffpack.
O'Neal continued to play in the NBA and branched out into an entertainment career that spanned movies, music, and television. In 2004, amidst controversy, O'Neal requested a trade and signed on with the Miami Heat and later ended up playing for the Phoenix Suns and Cleveland Cavaliers. He also earned an MBA online through the University of Phoenix in 2005, became a reserve officer with the L.A. Port Police, became known as an avid Superman fan, given an honorary U.S. Deputy Marshal title, named the spokesman for the Safe Surfin' Foundation, trained in mixed martial arts, and become a Miami Beach reserve officer. He has five children: Taahirah, Shareef, Amirah, Shaqir, and Me'arah but divorced from his wife Shaunie in 2009. As of 2010, O'Neal is the oldest active player in the NBA.