In 1992, Shaquille O’Neal was drafted into the NBA. He was selected with the first overall pick by the Orlando Magic. The man was one of the most hyped-up rookies the league had ever seen. His play style, which mainly focused on his ability to dominate in the paint was fun to watch.
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So much so that the Magic handed him a huge $3 million contract as a rookie. With such a big contract, it is only natural that he would be in line for some rookie hazing. But, Diesel would have none of it.
Shaquille O’Neal flat-out refused to be hazed as a rookie and stated that his vets would have to kick his a** if they wanted him to carry bags
It’s only natural that rookies in the NBA go through the ritualistic “rookie hazing”. It could be popcorn in the car, a shower prank, and even something as simple as what Shaq was asked to do. Carry bags.
However, Shaquille O’Neal has a big personality, and as such refused to be hazed. So much so that he flaunted his $3 million contract and his status as the Magic’s franchise player claiming his veterans would have to whoop his a** if they wanted him to carry bags.
“I didn’t get hazed! Shout out to Scott Skiles. He’s like, “carry my bags rookie!”, and I’m like, “I’m not a rookie! I’m the franchise!”.
Shaq himself once took rookie hazing too far as he took a sh*t in a rookie’s shoe
Shaq may have refused to be hazed as a rookie, but he sure didn’t mind doing the hazing.
His former teammate at the Lakers, Tyronn Lue once claimed that Diesel took the hazing a bit too far when he took a sh*t in rookie Devean George’s shoe.
Why? Because he forgot to buy O’Neal’s donuts! Now, George has gone on record to say that this has never happened. But with the Big Aristotle you never really know.
