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Despite being a 4x NBA champion, Shaquille O’Neal has become more famous for his philanthropic work over the years. His fans and loved ones know him as an individual who doesn’t mind sharing his hard-earned wealth with those in need. 2 years after making a million-dollar donation to a cause with which he shared a personal connection, the 51-year-old was recently seen engaging in some volunteering efforts.

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From helping out his mother during her difficult times to making some worthwhile contributions through his foundation, the NBA legend has come a long way in making a contribution to the world.

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Shaquille O’Neal highlights his time at the ‘Boys and Girls’ Club

A few hours ago, Shaquille O’Neal took to his official Instagram account to share a story with his 32.3 Million followers. Reposting an earlier story shared by television personality Ro Parrish, Shaq highlighted his recent visit to the ‘Boys and Girls Club’ in Oak Cliff.

The 7ft 1 gentle giant was seen holding an encased T-shirt that bore the name of the organization. People around him were all smiles as they got the opportunity to take a picture alongside the former NBA star.

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Shaq’s visit to the facility comes almost 2 years after he made a whopping $1 million donation to the organization. The amount was used to open another branch of the Boys and Girls Club in Henry County, Georgia. The building was named in honor of Shaquille O’Neal himself.

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Besides making financial contributions, Shaq also visits the club to engage in some volunteering work. From holding his “Shaq-a-Claus” events, and engaging with the children to practicing a few shots with them, the former NBA star keeps himself busy in making a contribution to a worthwhile cause.

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The Big Diesel detailed his earlier contribution in his autobiography

The 4x NBA champion could have made a sizable donation to any other charitable organization out there. However, he chose the club because of his personal connections with the same. Shaq has credited the Boys & Girls Club of America for keeping him out of trouble while growing up in Newark, New Jersey.

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In his 2011 autobiography, titled ‘Shaq Uncut’, the now 51-year-old shared details about his commitment to making a big impact on the community. He highlighted an incident that took place when he and his brother, Jamal O’Neal, used to practice together. One of the courts was located at one of the Boys and Girls Club. Having played on the pristine courts of the NBA for over 6 years by then, Shaq was not impressed with the condition of the courts at the club.

“I was so disgusted I called up Lester and said, ‘I want to donate $1 million to the Boys and Girls Club’,” Shaq recalled in his autobiography. Years after the incident, Shaq continued to provide financial support to the Boys and Girls Club.

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READ MORE: Shaquille O’Neal Snubs Michael Jackson for Ex-Wife’s Favorite Idol Despite Sharing Stage With “King of Pop”

What are your thoughts on Shaquille O’Neal and his charitable contributions? Let us know in the comments below.

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Written by

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Ashmit Kumar

2,900 Articles

Ashmit Kumar is a Senior Basketball Writer at EssentiallySports with over three years of experience covering the NBA. A journalism graduate, Ashmit has been a crucial part of EssentiallySports’ NBA live trends desk for the past two seasons. His work extends beyond game coverage to include analysis of player endorsements, brand deals, and Team USA's Olympics campaigns.

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Edited by

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Pragya Vashisth

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