Basketball’s Greatest Dr. Shaquille O’Neal Accepts Samoa Games Invite
The legendary basketball great Dr. Shaquille O'Neal and his equally famous Los Angeles Lakers teammate, the late Kobe Bryant (at left in the third photo).
Photos: N.B.A. and Shaquille O'Neal Facebook
Legendary basketball champion, center Dr. Shaquille O’Neal has accepted an invitation from the Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (S.A.S.N.O.C.) to visit the country as the guest of honour for the 2023 Samoa Games.
Tumanuvao Evile Falefatu with the Samoa Airport Authority (S.A.A.) publicised the legendary center’s visit in a social media post last Friday.
Dr. O’Neal’s visit to Samoa for the Games was confirmed by EyeSpy with Tumanuvao.
He told EyeSpy that plans are being finalised and local media will be notified in a press conference.
Dr. O’Neal, in correspondence with the Tumanuvao said it’s his “pleasure” to accept the invitation from Samoa.
“Sure I’ll be in Samoa. I would definitely honour your invite when the management asks me for approval to the proposal you’ll send. And you’re the first person from Samoa I’m talking to. It’s my pleasure,” Mr O’Neal said.
In a separate note, the retired basketball player confirmed: “I already gave my management team a go ahead on your proposal.”
The Los Angeles-based Shaquille Management Team reiterates Dr. O’Neal’s decision to accept Samoa’s invitation in a letter addressed to Secretary General of S.A.S.N.O.C. Talalelei Pauga.
Dr. O’Neal’s management said he accepted the invite “delightfully” and looks forward to “dominating” the event.
“We are pleased to inform you that your invitation letter reached the office and desk of the personal assistant of Mr. Shaquille O’Neal and was forwarded immediately to him,” the letter begins.
“We are hereby writing to notify you that he has delightfully accepted your invitation, considering the fact that it is a great event and recognizes sports as a whole.”
Dr. O’Neal looks forward to sharing some words of inspiration with Samoa’s young athletes.
“We are really looking forward to grace the occasion on the prescribed date especially for the fact that young athletes will be there to receive inspirational words from the one and only Shaquille O’Neal and members of his sporting crew,” the letter states.
“However, we are really looking forward to domination of the event.”
The management team expressed their thanks for the invitation.
“On behalf of Mr. Shaquille O’Neal, we are very thankful to you for considering the need for his presence in such a memorable and iconic event,” the letter says.
“We are looking forward to be in attendance at this great event as we join heads together in agreement and finalising of further arrangements.”
The letter is signed by Everett Simeon, Dr. O’Neal’s Tours and Events Manager.
The 7 foot, 1-inch tall Dr. O’Neal, who has earned many nicknames that attest to his prowess on the basketball court, names like Shaq, Big Diesel and Superman – will travel by private jet, according to separate correspondence from his management team sent to Tumanuvao.
“He will definitely be coming on a private jet,” the correspondence states.
Dr. O’Neal will be in Samoa for three days at the most.
The S.A.S.N.O.C. Secretary General Mr. Pauga did not reply to questions from EyeSpy.
The champion player played 19 seasons in the National Basketball Association (N.B.A.) for six teams: Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics.
Dr. O’Neal was drafted in the first round (first pick) of the 1992 N.B.A. draft. He is regarded as one of the most dominant and greatest basketball players to ever play the game, or G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time).
Dr. O’Neal retired from the N.B.A. on 1 June, 2011 and is a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer (2016).
He is a four-time N.B.A. champion and the only N.B.A. player to ever hold three degrees.
Dr. O’Neal played college ball for Louisiana State University (L.S.U.) but he left in his junior year for the N.B.A. In 1991, he was named College Player of the Year (1991) and twice named a unanimous first team All-American (1991, 1992).
Dr. O’Neal earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from L.S.U. in 2000, a Master’s of Business Administration (2005) and a Doctorate of Education (2012), both from Barry University in Florida.
He is an N.B.A. analyst, owner of more than 170 restaurants, 150 car washes and is part owner of the N.B.A.’s Sacramento Kings.
A fun fact about the legend: his shoe size is 22.
Another fun fact about Dr. O’Neal is he has a net worth of more than $400 million U.S. dollars. He is one of the richest athletes in the world and a philanthropist who founded The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation that gives back to children.
Dr. O’Neal has more than 50 million social media followers. He is making plans to arrive one day prior to his appearance at the Samoa Games.
The Samoa Games open in May 2023.
Dr. O’Neal’s visit will take place in the final days of the country’s yearlong celebration of 60 years of sovereignty that kicked off on 1 June, 2022.
The theme of 60th independence festivities is: Folau ma le Faatuatua or Sail With Faith.
EyeSpy was not able to make contact with Dr. O’Neal.