Being the successful player he was, Shaquille O’Neal gathered more than $286 million in NBA salaries over a 19-year NBA career. Over the years, Shaq’s various business ventures and investments have helped him grow his Empire. With a $400 million net worth, the Los Angeles Lakers legend is constantly looking at different ways to give back to society. While even strangers regularly witness the extent of Shaq’s generosity, the 7-foot-1 icon doesn’t think twice before splurging cash for his near and dear ones. In fact, one of Shaq’s teammates from Louisiana State University, who had once got the approval of Michael Jordan himself, received a $75,945 Ford F-150 from Shaq as a token of appreciation.
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You might not have heard about Stanley Roberts. Drafted in 1991, Roberts was part of five franchises in his seven years in the league. After showing potential in his first two campaigns, injuries would get the better of him. One of the more memorable moments of his curtailed career was when Jordan appreciated his craft. Following a game in his rookie season, the Chicago Bulls legend even claimed that the Orlando Magic rookie could become one of the game’s greatest players ever.
Shaquille O’Neal gifted Stanley Roberts a $75k truck as a token of appreciation
Even though Shaq was a popular name as a freshman at LSU, he couldn’t afford a car of his own. Until the “Superman” purchased a vehicle in his junior year, he would take trips around the campus in Robert’s car.
Years after, now that Shaq is one of the wealthiest athletes in the world, he decided to surprise Big Stan with a truck as a token of appreciation. In 2021, O’Neal revealed gifting his former teammate a truck. Despite Roberts trying to reject the expensive gift, the NBA Hall-of-Famer insisted on purchasing a black Ford F-150 XLT for his friend. Michael Lananna of The State further detailed the interaction between the two LSU alumni:
“‘I appreciate everything you did for me in college,’ O’Neal told him. ‘You showed me the way. I just want to show my appreciation. I’m gonna buy you a truck tomorrow. I’m gonna call you around 3:30.”
“Roberts’ eyes grew wide, he started shaking his head, saying, ‘No, Shaq. You don’t have to do that.’ He’s never been one to accept gifts. Never. ‘Stan, I’m not joking with you,’ O’Neal continued. ‘Answer your phone tomorrow when I call you.'”
Recollecting the incident, the four-time NBA champion shared a post by imagesyouwontseeontv on his Instagram that narrated the story. Have a look at the screenshot on NBA Celebs Update’s tweet.
Shaq looks back at when he purchased his College Teammate a new truck pic.twitter.com/ENOlBtGwgx
— What are NBA Celebs Upto? (@NBACelebsUpdate) June 23, 2023
Clearly, Shaq rewards all the people that stood by him.
Following Robert’s move to the NBA, Shaq took a $6,000 loan to purchase a car
After Stanley Roberts declared for the 1991 Draft, it was time for Shaq to find another medium of travel for himself. As a junior, the Diesel decided to get his own car. Taking a financial risk, Shaq went ahead to take a $6,000 loan in order to purchase a pre-owned Bronco II.
Having faith in himself, the youngster knew that he’d be a well-paid star in the league. Merely a year later, Shaq signed a handsome $17.4 million rookie contract and paid off his loans.
