Shaquille O'Neal may already have an estimated net worth of nearly $500 million, but the NBA legend is still adding degrees to his name. At 54, O’Neal recently earned his fourth college degree — a master of arts in liberal arts from Louisiana State University — and used the moment to send a strong message to Gen Z graduates entering an uncertain AI-driven economy. His advice was simple: learning should never stop, reports The Fortune.
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Shaquille O’Neal tells graduates to keep learning
Speaking during LSU’s commencement ceremony, O’Neal encouraged students to continue growing even after graduation. “Never stop learning,” he told graduates. “I’m proud of you all today, but this is not the end of your journey. Make sure you continue to strive, continue to learn, continue to have fun.” In classic Shaq style, he ended the speech with humour, jokingly asking graduates to keep buying his Shackalicious gummies from local stores.
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Shaq says character matters more than a resume
O’Neal also reminded students that long-term success is not just about degrees or professional achievements. “Your character will take you further than your resume,” he said. “Continue to be kind. Continue to be humble. Continue to help those in need.”
The former NBA superstar also spoke openly about failure, saying setbacks are part of success. “Youngsters, before you succeed, you must first learn to fail,” O’Neal added. “Most of us regular people have to go again, again, again, and again.”
Why Shaquille O’Neal kept returning to college
O’Neal’s latest degree completes a decades-long educational journey that started before he became an NBA icon. Born in Newark and raised partly in San Antonio, O’Neal became one of America’s top basketball prospects before joining LSU.
Like many elite athletes, he left college early to enter the 1992 NBA Draft, where the Orlando Magic selected him as the No. 1 overall pick. Even after becoming a superstar, he remained determined to complete his education. While playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, he returned to LSU and earned a bachelor’s degree in general studies in 2000 with a minor in political science.
At the time, O’Neal joked about his academic journey but also stressed the importance of education in handling wealth and life after sports.
From MBA to doctorate: Shaq’s education journey
O’Neal did not stop with one degree. In 2005, he completed an online MBA from University of Phoenix. Later, in 2012, he earned a doctorate in education focused on organizational learning and leadership from Barry University.
For his newest LSU degree, O’Neal focused on sports psychology leadership. His capstone project explored athlete mentorship through the lens of the ancient Greek epic poem The Odyssey.
Shaquille O’Neal built a business empire beyond basketball
Although O’Neal became famous through basketball, he transformed himself into a major businessman and investor after retiring from the NBA. His portfolio now includes endorsements, restaurants, consumer brands, media appearances, and investments in education-focused companies.
In 2024, O’Neal invested in Campus, an education startup backed by Sam Altman. Speaking about the investment, O’Neal said education should be accessible to everyone, not just wealthy students.
“I feel that everyone should have access to world-class education,” he said.
Shaq’s message resonates in the AI era
As artificial intelligence changes industries and raises concerns about the value of traditional degrees, O’Neal’s message stands out for younger generations entering the workforce.
His career shows that education does not have to end after landing a job or becoming financially successful.
For Shaquille O’Neal, learning has remained a lifelong investment — one that helped him grow from an NBA superstar into a businessman, investor, and mentor far beyond basketball.
Celebrities who returned to college later in life
Shaquille O’Neal is not the only celebrity to return to school after finding fame. Megan Thee Stallion paused her education while building her music career before later graduating from Texas Southern University with a degree in health administration in 2021. She encouraged students not to give up on education while chasing their dreams.
Meanwhile, legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg returned to California State University, Long Beach decades after dropping out to complete his degree in 2002.
Speaking later at a Harvard commencement address, Spielberg said he went back to college partly to set an example for his children.
