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Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley are often seen engaging back-and-forth during their analysis on NBA on TNT. We saw a glimpse of it when Barkley wasn’t impressed with Shaq’s breakdown of a game last year. Now it looks like in order to enhance his analytical lens Shaq is going to add a Master’s degree to his name.

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On his podcast “The Big Podcast with Shaq” Episode 11, Big Man announced he’s preparing for another Master’s degree. His co-host Adam Lefkoe, asked about his plan to go to LSU or Harvard. To this, Shaquille O’Neal replied he could go anywhere, and it doesn’t matter which university he goes to. It’s more about the knowledge he wishes to imbibe.

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I’m making my announcement here. I am making preparations to get my master’s in sport psychology,” Shaq stated. The NBA icon added, “I will in the next three years be the foremost expert when it comes to sport psychology. So I read that but I don’t want to act like its affirmative yet, because I don’t have the title behind it. But I’m telling you now I’m preparing to go to school to get my Master’s.”

Big Diesel has three degrees on his resume so far. Shaq received a B.A. degree in General Studies from LSU in 2000 and then earned an online MBA degree from the University of Phoenix in 2005. He also added an education degree (Ed. D) in Human Resource Development in 2012.

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During the conversation, Shaq talked about his options for where he could pursue his sports psychology degree, he also said, “I wanna be solidified when I say something.” To this, Lefkoe added, “So that someone talks on TNT you can be like I know exactly what you’re thinking.

Shaq had more to add and gave a hint as to why he is looking to pursue the degree and may look to even get a doctorate in it. “When I say something as a sports psychologist, you can’t be like I’m hating be like. No, no, no, I’m educated in this field, that’s right! Masters, and I might get my doctorate in it too, I don’t know yet,” Shaq said.

Shaquille O’Neal getting his Master’s in sports psychology could make for an interesting dynamic on the TNT show with Charles Barkley.  Just in December last year Barkley, it appeared wasn’t impressed by the 4-time NBA Champion’s analysis of a game.

Read More: “Shut the F**k Up”: Shaquille O’Neal Thrashes 64YO ESPN Veteran Over Possession of Elite Badge

Barkley didn’t Shaq’s game analysis seriously

Last year in December while dissecting the Pacers-Celtics game, Shaq highlighted how Pacers overcame their opponents due to late game stops. During Shaq’s comments, Barkley was seen laughing in the corner.

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O’Neal took exception to this and said, “I would know that, and you wouldn’t, Chuck,” while pointing to his four championship rings. With Shaq gearing up for a sports psychology degree, things could get more spicy during game analysis on TNT.

Read More: 48 Hours After Escorting Angel Reese, Shaquille O’Neal Receives Heartfelt “Love” Note From LSU Star on Special Day

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Pranav Kotai

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Pranav Kotai is an editor at EssentiallySports, specializing in basketball coverage with a focus on trade dynamics and front-office decision-making. Having previously worked on the Trade Desk vertical, he brought clarity to how salary cap pressures and roster needs shape NBA transactions. His insightful coverage of the Philadelphia 76ers’ decision to hold firm on Joel Embiid amid trade speculation highlights how market context and team strategy influence major roster moves. Before joining EssentiallySports, Pranav holds experience of skills in professional writing, editorial work, and digital content creation. He holds a postgraduate diploma in digital media from a reputed institute, where he mastered the tools to create engaging and credible content across various platforms. Known for his attention to detail, proficiency in storytelling, and editorial expertise, Pranav combines deep basketball knowledge with sharp analytical abilities to deliver clear, insightful perspectives on the complexities of NBA trades and team management.

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Bilal Handoo

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