
Who is Lucille O’Neal?
Lucille O’Neal is an American doctor, author, speaker, and socialite. She is popularly Known as the Mother of Shaquille Rashaun O’Neal a professional basketball player who serves as a sports analyst on the TV show Inside the NBA.
Quick Fact
Full name | Lucille O’Neal |
Place of birth | Dublin, Georgia, United States |
Sex | Female |
Height | 1.88 m |
Profession | Businesswoman and Philanthropist |
Famous as | Shaquille Rashaun O’Neal |
Children’s | Shaquille O’Neal, Ayesha O’Neal, Lateefah O’Neal, and Jamal O’Neal, |
Grandchildren | Shaqir O’Neal, Myles B., Taahirah O’Neal, Shareef O’Neal, Me’arah O’Neal, O’Neal, Amirah O’Neal |
Biography
Shaquille O’Neal frequently discusses his mother Dr. Lucille O’Neal and their close bond. She primarily raised him alone in Newark, New Jersey. Joseph Toney, Shaq’s biological father, and her spouse were absent. She and Phillip Harrison later got divorced in 2002.

Children
Lucille O’Neal was blessed with four children, named: Shaquille O’Neal, Ayesha O’Neal, Lateefah O’Neal, and Jamal O’Neal
Education
She received her education under the support of the four-time NBA champion, earning a Bachelor of Science in business administration before going on to earn a Master of Arts in organizational management. In 2016, Bethune-Cookman University bestowed upon her the honor of a Doctor of Humane Letters degree. She, therefore, goes by the name Dr. Lucille O’Neal.
O’Neal stated in an interview with VC Star: “My eldest son, who recently accepted a fantastic job… He funded my education because I had always wanted to go to school. I’ll send you, he added, but only if you maintain your academic standing.”
Let’s look at Lucille and her life since she is much more than just Shaquille’s mother and has multiple businesses of her own.

Who is Lucille O’Neal?
Lucille O’Neal, Shaquille O’Neal’s mother, is an entrepreneur and philanthropist who established the Mothers of Professional Basketball Players. That group helps mothers whose children play professional basketball. She represented the group on numerous occasions while serving four years as the executive secretary.
At significant occasions like corporate conferences, sports tournaments, and college commencements, Lucille frequently delivers remarks. She organizes “Shaq’s Mama Said Knock You Out!” an annual charity event that attracts a number of well-known celebrities and supports The Odessa Chambliss Quality of Life Fund.
Recently, the MD Anderson Council of Governors and the Orlando Ovarian Cancer Alliance selected Lucille to serve on their respective councils. She was described as having “survived poverty, rejection, abuse, addiction, and the illness of a child” by the announcer as she was introduced as the keynote speaker for the 15th Annual Great Futures for Kids Breakfast.
Shaquille O’Neal and his mother have a tight bond, and she still offers him guidance. When he was an NBA player, he and Lucille had a pregame routine. Lucille stated in a “Today” program interview:
” I’ll smile and wink at him while he was engaged in his game. However, we had a ritual by the time he arrived at the NBA. As a mature man, I would give him bubblegum, kiss him, and tell him to “play your game.”