What do you get when a WNBA superstar pulls off a Shaquille O’Neal-level stunt, just days after the Big Aristotle went full gladiator mode for Angel Reese? You get a moment so layered, so cheeky, that it might just be marketing gold in disguise. Because A’ja Wilson didn’t just show up to WNBA All-Star Weekend, but she also made an entrance straight out of Shaq’s playbook.

And no, we’re not talking about post moves. In a hilarious moment that felt straight out of a TNT segment, Wilson recreated Shaquille O’Neal’s legendary “Shaq Cam” bit, slapping an “A’one” label over the camera and flashing the biggest grin in Indiana. She was channeling the full Shaq spirit, goofy charm and all, from the All-Star weekend back in 2006. And the timing?

Chef’s kiss. Shaq made waves earlier this week with a thunderous defense of Angel Reese, declaring, “I’m her protector. Now, pick on me,” before saying he’d punch Robert Griffin III in the face for his racist criticism of her. True Shaq fashion in the old-fashioned way, isn’t it? So when A’ja tapped into her inner Diesel, it wasn’t only funny; it felt like a full-circle nod to a legend who’s been riding hard for this generation of W stars.

Because people, remember that Shaq doesn’t just show up to All-Star Weekend. He owns it. In 2006, he turned the entire weekend into a walking meme-factory. Between unveiling a Dunkman shoe that had a built-in LCD camera and another that doubled as a remote-controlled car (yes, really), Shaq was the one-man hype machine who understood something long before everyone else.

Basketball isn’t just a sport. It’s theater. And marketing? That’s just another stat line. And for those keeping score, Shaq isn’t just a Hall of Famer with four rings, 28,596 points, and a career field goal percentage that makes statisticians sweat. He’s a cultural phenomenon. A walking contradiction. A seven-foot guardian angel with a business portfolio (that even helped Flau’jae Johnson) and a DJ booth.

His connection to the WNBA has always been deeper than casual fandom. He’s been a vocal supporter, particularly of players who, like Angel Reese, bring unapologetic energy to the court and refuse to shrink to fit outdated molds. His defense of Angel Reese was personal, yes, but it was also symbolic. Shaquille O’Neal is the blueprint for how loud, confident, dominant personalities can still be beloved, so long as they show up for the community. And that’s exactly what A’ja did.

Shaq’s legacy is a blueprint for the WNBA stars

She didn’t just wink at Shaq’s legacy, people, she danced in it, spun it around, and added a filter. Her playful moment on the “A’one” Cam was a baton pass. Shaq used to be the guy who made All-Star Weekend fun, unpredictable, and meme-worthy. Now? Wilson’s got next. And she’s making sure it comes with a personality, rightly so because these are big shoes to fill… quite literally. And A’ja Wilson‘s All-Star presence hit all the right notes.

Dominant play, smart branding, cultural awareness, and an ear tuned to the conversations happening beyond the court. Just like Shaq in his heyday, she knows that being a superstar isn’t just about buckets. It’s about moments. It’s about knowing when to make noise, how to make people laugh, and why to stand up for something bigger. So what happens next?

If the Wilson-Shaq-Reese connection tells us anything, it’s that the future of WNBA stardom will be louder, funnier, more unapologetic, and a whole lot more entertaining. And with Angel Reese building her brand, Caitlin Clark commanding headlines, and A’ja Wilson dancing on Shaq’s metaphorical grave (with love!), the league, as we know it, is booming.