Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal returned to his alma mater over the weekend, delivering a colorful, energetic commencement address to Louisiana State University’s graduating class of 2026.
Speaking from the perspective of an elder statesman offering sage advice to the next generation, O’Neal — who dominated the collegiate ranks at LSU before embarking on one of the most physically imposing careers in NBA history — implored the “youngsters” to embrace resilience and integrity as they step into the world.
O’Neal, who famously earned his bachelor’s degree from LSU in 2000 after leaving early for the NBA, opened with his trademark humor, saying:
I’m not going to be long because I know you guys are hungry, because I’m hungry as hell. I was tricked. I was bamboozled this morning. They told me to arrive at 7:30. And three hours later, I received something that had nothing in it. Last time I sat this long, I was sitting on the toilet after I had some bad chimichanga from TJ Ribs.
Turning serious, he expressed immense pride in the graduates and laid out five core pillars for their future success: never stop learning, use failure as motivation, prioritize character over resumes, stay curious in a “weird world,” and celebrate milestones while continuously striving ahead.
“There’s a small percentage of people that accomplish things on the first try,” he declared. “Most of us regular people have to go again, again, again, and again. So again, before you succeed, you must first learn to fail. … Your character will take you further than your resume. Continue to be kind; continue to be humble. Continue to help those in need.”
In a classic lighter moment, he also urged graduates to buy his “Shaq-A-Licious” gummies at 7-Eleven.
The massive center’s perspective is backed by a resume legendary in American sports. Long before he was a four-time NBA champion, O’Neal entirely transformed the LSU basketball program under coach Dale Brown from 1989 to 1992. Over 90 collegiate games, the powerhouse center averaged an astonishing 21.6 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 4.6 blocks per game, shooting 61% from the field. A two-time consensus First-Team All-American and two-time SEC Player of the Year, O’Neal set an NCAA Tournament record by blocking 11 shots in a single game against BYU in 1992.
After the Orlando Magic selected him as the No. 1 overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft, Shaq won Rookie of the Year and famously shattered multiple backboard supports. O’Neal soon ascended to absolute league dominance.
He signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996 and eventually formed a legendary dynasty with Kobe Bryant and coach Phil Jackson. O’Neal led the Lakers to a historic “three-peat” of NBA championships from 2000 to 2002, capturing Finals MVP honors in all three instances. His 1999–2000 campaign stands as one of the greatest individual seasons in sports history, missing out on a unanimous regular-season MVP by just a single vote.
O’Neal later secured a fourth championship ring with Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat in 2006 before concluding his 19-year journey with veteran stints in Phoenix, Cleveland, and Boston. He retired in 2011 with 28,596 points and 13,099 rebounds, earning a spot on the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team.
Concluding his commencement address in Baton Rouge, the legendary big man led the arena in a roaring chant of “We did it,” reminding the graduates of their shared achievement. “I do not want you going home and saying I graduated with Shaq,” O’Neal told the crowd. “I want you to say Shaq graduated with me.”
.png)
.png)
