You’d think nothing could make one of the most formidable centers of the NBA falter. But one person can. Shaquille O’Neal has fallen for many celebrities he often gushes about. He gave his list of all the celebrities he loves and has met to GQ recently. And it showed that one A-list icon will always be at the top of his list.

However, his meeting with his celebrity crush didn’t go the way he fantasized. His childhood impediment came in the way and he still laments over it.

Shaquille O’Neal’s first love remains the same

NBA’s strongest centers couldn’t do what Halle Berry did. Stop Shaquille O’Neal in his tracks. The four-time champion will always proclaim his undying love for Catwoman every chance he gets.

He got his chance when GQ asked what celebrity encounter made him go, “Wow, I cannot believe this?” Shaq listed, “Halle Berry. Charlize Theron. Kerry Washington. Jennifer Hudson. Jennifer Lopez. Barack Obama. Biggie. Nas. Dr. Dre. Snoop. Rick Ross. Everybody!”

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The interviewer pointed out that O’Neal’s megawatt smile was the widest when he mentioned the first name. Halle Berry obviously reigns No.1 on Shaq’s list since he was still a college basketball player. He holds a little regret about how their first meeting went though.

“I met her in an elevator and I couldn’t talk because my stuttering kicked in,” he told the magazine. O’Neal narrated the incident before and how his longtime speech impediment came in the way.

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Los Angeles Lakers star has struggled with a stutter for most of his life. When he was young, he would dread teachers calling on him. As he’s grown, so has his confidence. He still stutters but he has no fear of people laughing at him because of it.

His open discussion about it has given many others who also stutter to have that larger-than-life confidence. This confidence though was lacking in the face of Halle Berry’s dazzling beauty.

Shaq’s first Halle Berry meeting was shattered

While still a student at LSU, Shaq had the good fortune of Halle Berry responding to his fan letter. Fast forward years later, he’s in the Four Seasons in LA. Berry was doing promotions for a movie at the same place and they run into each other.

As he said, he saw her in the elevator and froze. “This is my shot but my stuttering kick in.” It wasn’t all bad. Before stepping out, she greeted him. Shaq still regrets not being able to get a word in.

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His love remains unshaken though. She’s the no. 1 celebrity who made him go, “I cannot believe this.” What do you think about this funny but cute moment for Shaq?