Shaquille O’Neal is one athlete who never takes himself too seriously. His joking nature can be seen in the interactions they have on Inside the NBA. Just last month, Shaq suddenly dashed off the set with an urgent bathroom emergency, leaving the rest of the cast in stitches. But beyond the laughs on TV, Shaq’s playful nature has led to some surprising stories, including one involving a $3 million diamond prank from decades ago.
Despite being worth around $400 million today, Shaq’s net worth was much smaller during the mid to late 90s, probably just a few million. Prior to 1996, he was earning an average of $4,350,000, which means that the diamond would be worth more than 65% of his annual income. So what does Shaq do when faced with such a huge number? You guessed it, he tried to, though, jokingly, “steal” the diamond! Adam Mirzoeff from East Continental Gem recently revealed the long-buried incident.
Mirzoeff was working a trunk show at Neiman Marcus in Boston then. He recalled Shaq casually walking through the store, stopping by a showcase with a massive 42.39-carat diamond ring. While Adam was hoping to sell the diamond to the then-Magic/Lakers Shaq, the latter put it on his pinky, then put it in his pocket and started walking away. Shaq joked, “Because I was getting ready to rob you.” Although Adam didn’t fall for the prank, instead, he started laughing. “You were five feet from the showcase. You like, you like left, like you started walking away. And that was awesome”. The jeweler stated that this “humanized the whole thing”.
Sep 15, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal stands on the sidelines before a game between the New Orleans Saints and Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
The fun didn’t stop there. Shaq also shared a story about stealing a candy bar along with Kenny Smith. “Me and Kenny one day went to the store to steal on purpose. I f****n grabbed a candy bar and walked by,” He recalled. And what did the cashier have to say? “Shaq, stop playing, come on, Shaq. I know you got a dollar and thirty cents.” Shaq admitted defeat, saying, “You caught me.” Going back to the diamond incident, Diesel simply said, “I took his diamond and was like, ‘M********er what Diamond? It’s a robbery right now, put your hands up.’” Whether on the basketball court or in a store, Shaq’s playful spirit shines through.
From stealing chains to gifting rings, Shaquille O’Neal keeps surprising everyone
Shaquille O’Neal may have a $400 million fortune, but that hasn’t stopped him from trying to sneak a little extra sparkle into his pocket just for laughs, of course. While visiting famous jeweler Johnny Dang in 2023, Shaq pulled another classic prank. As Dang rang up the bill, Shaq casually slipped a silver chain into his pocket. The moment wasn’t private either; the cameras were rolling the entire time. Yet, Shaq was confident enough to try and pull it off under full surveillance.
As Shaq signed his receipt, Johnny Dang calmly asked, “Can I get my necklace back?” The moment was priceless. Shaq burst into laughter and admitted defeat, saying, “You saw that! You saw that Johnny! Damn, I thought I had you this time. Alright, my bad.” It was all in good fun, and the two hugged it out afterward. While Shaq may look like a smooth thief on camera, his real intent is always to get a laugh, not a free necklace.
It’s stories like these that show both sides of Shaq: the prankster and the giver. And his giving side shines just as bright. A few years back, during a visit to an Atlanta jewelry store, Shaq noticed a man struggling to pay for an engagement ring. Without hesitation, he stepped in and covered the cost. No cameras, no press, just a quiet act of kindness that meant the world to a stranger.
So yes, Shaq may be caught ‘stealing’ jewelry on occasion, but he’s also the kind of guy who gives it away without blinking. Whether it’s laughs or love, the Big Diesel always delivers. Isn’t that what makes him one of a kind?
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