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Shaquille O’ Neal Is Reveling in His Second Act

NBA Hall of Famer keeping busy as sports analyst, DJ, host of new game show

Linda Childers,

AARP

Published July 17, 2024

Shaquille O’ Neal wearing a suit and smiling

AARP (Maarten De Boer/Disney)

After retiring from professional basketball in 2011, Shaquille O’ Neal, 52, has found a second career as a sports analyst and a DJ by the name of DJ Diesel. “DJing gives me the adrenaline boost I need in my life,” he says. The NBA Hall of Famer is also looking forward to cohosting the new ABC game show, Lucky 13, with actress Gina Rodriguez. On the show, premiering July 18, contestants predict how well they will perform at answering 13 true-or-false trivia questions. O'Neal shares with AARP why he decided to host a game show, his advice for the athletes competing at this summer's Olympics and the one goal he's still trying to achieve.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

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How did you get into DJing?

I’ve always had a passion for music, and I actually started DJing in college at LSU [Louisiana State University]. After I retired from the NBA, I needed something that gave me that same “game seven energy.”

promo for premier of ABC game show Lucky 13 on July 18 showing Gina Rodriguez with her hands and chin resting on Shaquille O'Neal's head, both of them are smiling

O'Neal is co-hosting the new ABC game show, "Lucky 13," with actress Gina Rodriguez.

ABC/Disney

What appealed to you about hosting a game show?

Bringing people together to have a good time is what I love to do, and hosting Lucky 13 is an exciting new way for me to do that. We’ve put together a game show that’s designed for families to interact and play along at home. Giving away plenty of prize money is great too. Seeing the look on people’s faces when they realize they just won life-changing money never gets old.

How do you think you’d fare if you were a contestant on the show?

I think everyone knows how competitive I am! I’m going for the million bucks.

You wrote a moving Instagram tribute to Jerry West. [West died in June, and was known for luring Shaq from the Orlando Magic to the Los Angeles Lakers.] What’s one life lesson he taught you?

I learned a lot from Jerry — it’s not just one lesson. He was an incredible leader and a legend of the game. When I signed with the Lakers, he had total faith we would win a championship, and that taught me that to achieve greatness, everyone involved has to believe it can happen. Most important, he taught me about patience. In the 1998 [NBA Western] Conference Finals, I was playing for the Lakers and we lost to the [Utah] Jazz. I didn’t take it as well as I should have. I was frustrated that we had missed out on the title. But since Jerry had experienced many near wins himself before finally winning it all, he helped me understand that our time would come. The rest is history.

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How do you look back on your basketball career today?

I’m proud of what I accomplished: four championships, three finals MVPs and the most dominant big man to ever play the game.

You were part of the gold medal winning 1996 Olympic basketball team. What advice would you give this year’s Olympic basketball team?

Everyone is going to be out to beat you. You have to stay focused, but above all, enjoy the experience. It’s a great honor to represent your country.

You lost 55 pounds last year. How has your diet and exercise regimen changed now that you’re in your 50s?

I’m not on the court every day anymore, which makes staying fit a lot harder. My schedule makes keeping a consistent routine a challenge, but I love challenges. The most important change for me was my diet. For a long time I didn’t take what I ate seriously. I was an athlete, staying fit came easily.

You've had quite a career. Is there anything you haven’t done that you’d like to do?

I’ve always wanted to go skydiving, but haven’t found a parachute big enough yet.

Linda Childers is a contributing writer for AARP. She has written for regional and national publications, including Allure, National Geographic Kids, O, Reader’s Digest, Redbook, U.S. News and World Report, The Washington Post and Woman’s Day.

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