Shaquille O’Neal revealed that he will return to college, specifically his alma mater, LSU. The basketball icon has a clear goal for his future. As he approaches 60, he refuses to sit idle.
The four-time NBA champion has gone through many phases in his five decades of life. Today, he works as a broadcaster and commentator, staying true to his lifelong goal of remaining active. In fact, he left the NBA only because an injury forced him to retire permanently.
According to Essentiallysports, O’Neal discussed his career and next steps on the Armchair Expert podcast, saying: “I’m starting to take anti-aging seriously. I’m really getting in shape. I see a 4.8 pack. I’m going to try to get an eight-pack by the end of summer…”
A new career vision
O’Neal is improving his fitness, but he also has an academic goal. “I’m now in school at LSU because I want to become a sports psychologist.” His interest comes from a past experience with a psychologist that wasn’t effective, and now he wants to offer athletes the right kind of support.
“Yes. Experience. Here you go. I want to be the first… because I know, as a kid, I dealt with the best people. I wanted that degree, but now I’m shifting to mentorship. Many young athletes need mentors in their lives,” the NBA legend explained.
His vision is clear: “I’m learning a lot about mentoring, and I’ll probably focus more on that than becoming a sports psychologist.”
A degree in Sports Psychology would be the fifth for the former Lakers star. He has studied extensively, earning bachelor’s, master’s, a doctorate, and a ‘street degree’—and now, he plans to add another.
Seeing NBA rising stars mentored by Shaquille O’Neal could be fascinating, and he may be on the verge of making a significant impact on professional basketball.
