It’s not every day that an old basketball rivalry takes an unexpected turn. But that’s exactly what happened when Mike Bibby appointed as the head coach of Sacramento State’s men’s basketball program. “We’re going to try to get the best kids we can here to change the culture,” Bibby declared. And soon after that, he landed his first big recruit, Shaquille O’Neal’s son, Shaqir O’Neal. And given Bibby and Shaq’s history, it’s very interesting.
Back in the early 2000s, Shaq and Bibby weren’t exactly exchanging pleasantries. As the face of the Los Angeles Lakers, Shaq dominated the rivalry against Bibby’s Sacramento Kings, meeting them twice in the playoffs in 2001 and 2002. The Kings fell short both times, and Shaq made sure to add some extra sting. He routinely mocked Bibby’s squad, calling them soft and even dubbing them “The Sacramento Queens.”
However, time changes things. Shaq eventually softened his stance on the Kings, even becoming a minority owner of the franchise from 2013 to 2022. Now, with Shaqir joining Sacramento State under Bibby, it’s clear any past beef has long gone. And if that wasn’t proof enough, Bibby himself confirmed he had a chat with Shaq about bringing Shaqir on board. “I talked to Shaq.”
Shaq’s response? “Shaq was like, hey, I’m gonna hand you over to him and see what you could do,” Bibby revealed to FOX40 News. But even as he acknowledged their history, he couldn’t help but reflect on their battles.
“I got him in, you know, maybe the top three or four guys that ever played the game,” Bibby admitted. “I was a jerk when we were playing because we were supposed to be.”
June 24, 2019; Los Angeles, CA, USA; NBA former player Shaquille O’Neal with sons Sharif O’Neal and Shaqir O’Neal arrive on the red carpet for the 2019 NBA Awards show at Barker Hanger. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
However, as per Bibby, that talk was “surreal”. “Just surreal that like, you know, okay, now he’s putting his son in my hands to help develop him,” Bibby said. From heated playoff wars to a partnership built on trust, Shaq and Bibby’s relationship has come full circle in a way no one saw coming.
Why did Shaquille O’Neal’s son choose his father’s former enemy?
A few days ago, Shaquille O’Neal’s son Shaqir made the news official. Taking to social media, he shared his excitement, saying, “I am excited to announce my verbal commitment to Sacramento State University. I am incredibly grateful to Coach Bibby and the entire coaching staff for believing in me and offering this opportunity.” It’s a fresh start for the young forward.
This will be O’Neal’s third stop in his college career. He began at Texas Southern University, a powerhouse in HBCU basketball. While there, he showed flashes of his talent, earning praise from head coach Johnny Jones for his steady progress. However, despite the potential, playing time didn’t come easy, pushing him to seek a new opportunity where he could make a bigger impact.
“One of the new guys that we’re really happy and excited about is Shaqir O’Neal,” Jones had said at the time. “I think people that hadn’t had an opportunity to see his offseason workouts—I think he’s done an awesome job.” But with limited minutes on the floor, O’Neal entered the transfer portal, looking for a system where he could truly shine.
During the 2024-25 season, he played in all 29 games, averaging 6.7 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. His shooting also took a leap, hitting 50.3% from the field and 37.5% from deep. Now, he’s gearing up to join Bibby’s Hornets, setting the stage for an intriguing partnership between a coach and the son of his old foe.
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