Shaquille O’Neal recently discussed his once-strained relationship together with his children.
During an episode of rapper TI‘s “expediTIously” podcast, the previous Los Angeles Lakers star was candid about how his divorce from his ex-wife, Shaunie Henderson, affected his bond together with his kids.
Prior to this, Shaquille O’Neal slammed online blogs for reportedly spreading “clickbait” rumors about his alleged relationship with a married woman.
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Shaquille O’Neal Shares What He’s ‘Learned’ After Marriage And Touches On His Relationship With Kids
During his conversation with TI, Shaq reflected on the teachings he’s learned since his previous marriage.
“I learned that I do know higher than to be out here bullsh-tting,” the NBA champion said. “Sometimes you simply get caught up. But we all know higher.”
Shaq was married to Henderson from 2002 to 2009 before officially splitting in 2011. Elsewhere within the episode, he acknowledged that his divorce impacted his children, though he noted they’re thriving today.
“In all of that, I’m just completely happy and blessed that they’ve forgiven me. Because me and my babies didn’t talk for some time,” he said. “I understood that, but now we’re beginning to catch up with. I’m teaching my boys to be higher than me. Papa was a Rolling Stone. You don’t should be like me.”
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Shareef O’Neal Talks About His Previous Relationship With His Father
Shaq’s comments about his children follow those of his son, Shareef O’Neal, who discussed his father during an appearance on the “Heir Time” podcast.
“The primary few years it was pretty hard,” Shareef said about his parents’ divorce. “We were all too young to form of understand what is going on on. Mom and pop aren’t going to be together. It wasn’t like a ‘select a side’ thing.”
Shareef added that his parents didn’t appear to make things easier for them as kids after they were going through their marital woes.
“My mom [was] like, ‘If you happen to guys wanna go together with your dad, go ahead.’ My dad’s like, ‘If y’all wanna go together with your mom, go ahead,'” he continued.
Things, nevertheless, eventually smoothed over, with Shareef giving props to each of his parents for the way well they work together for his or her kids’ sake.
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“They never come around and it’s an issue. My mom is remarried now. She will be able to bring her husband around and pop [can] dap him up and have a conversation. So, I respect them each for never putting the stress on us,” Shareef said.
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The NBA Star’s Ex-Wife Wrote About Their Marriage In Her Memoir
Henderson previously detailed her marriage to Shaq during her tenure on the VH1 reality series “Basketball Wives.” She shared much more within the pages of her memoir, “Undefeated: Changing the Rules and Winning on My Own Terms,” in line with PEOPLE.
One section of the book that captured many readers’ attention was Henderson’s line: “Looking back, I do not know that I used to be ever really in love with the person.” Shaq replied a day later with a message that read: “I understand… I wouldn’t have been in love with me either. Wishing you all the perfect. All love, Shaq. Trust me I get it.”
Henderson later said the viral line was taken out of context, and that she will be able to’t change how people feel about what she’s written. “… it’s my book, my truth, and it’s my legacy.”
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Shaquille O’Neal Calls Out The ‘Clickbait’ Rumors About Him
In response to The Blast, Shaq recently responded to the claims that he was having an inappropriate relationship together with his friend’s wife. Throughout the interview, Shaq dismissed the claims as “clickbait” and affirmed that he would never cross a boundary with those in his inner circle.
“Listen, everybody wants their page to be famous, I understand it. You might have to know, you do not go to people’s wives. That is something you simply don’t do,” he said, adding, “I’m 53, so I’m done with all that.”
Shaq’s $180,000 Problem…
Prior to those events, Shaq handled much more drama when his $180,000 custom Range Rover SUV was stolen.
The Blast reported that Shaq’s luxury vehicle was alleged to be transported to Louisiana, however it never arrived, prompting questions from law enforcement.
Authorities initially said hackers could have been liable for the heist, noting they may’ve hacked the custom detailer’s system and used the data to send the NBA star’s automobile elsewhere.
CBS News shared in December 2025 that a person had been arrested in reference to the missing vehicle in Latest York.
The stolen Range Rover has not been recovered, in line with authorities. In actual fact, they imagine it might be somewhere within the Middle East.