From struggling to make ends meet to becoming one of the basketball icons, Shaquille O Neal’s path was long. But once it smoothed out, Shaq didn’t forget the promise he made to his grandmother.

Acquiring a fortune worth over $400 million within his 19-year basketball career, Shaq knew the importance of being fiscally responsible. However, the NBA icon revealed how he showed gratification to his grandmom.

“I got to fulfil my grandmother's favourite wish,” he stated. “One day, I said, Grandma, when I get rich, I'm gonna buy you a house. You know what she says? ‘I wanted a house across the street’… I grew up at 100 Oak Street in Jersey City. She wanted 93…”

The story gets pretty predictable after that. Grandma, aka Odessa Chambliss, “was the only one who didn't discipline” him. And after being successful, Shaq “bought (his) grandmother her house” and “her first car.”

Odessa did not ask for anything fancy, or something like the mansion Shaq lived in. But a stubborn Shaq still spent $6 million on the house. But even though he “got to do things for them,” he “never got to tell them thank you.”

It almost sounded like a regret. But whenever it came to spending lavishly on his family, Shaquille O’Neal was always more than just ready.

Shaquille O’Neal Spent Similarly for His Mother

The other name that followed Shaquille throughout his career was his mother, Lucille O'Neal. And after living a life of poverty and hardship with his mother, a rising star, Shaq just had to do something for her, too.

“(Buying my mom a house) was my main motivation. Forget the money and the jewellery and all that. But my mama’s house, growing up, she never had her own...”, he said. “And that was the best moment for me.”

“Walking into their neighbourhood, at their prices, talking to the realtor, and she said, ‘It’s $800,000,’” the NBA icon added further. “And I said, ‘Okay, we’ll take it.’ I’m like, ‘Mama, we good now. We’ll take it.'”

These gestures of gratitude make Shaq more than just a star player. Moving on, can you recall any similar incidents involving any other NBA star? Comment it down.

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Written by

Deblina Roy

Edited by

Souvik Roy