Shaq, a memorable Mothers Day gift and how Lucilles giving mindset influenced him

June 07, 2024

Shaquille O’Neal has the means to provide his mother, Lucille, with just about anything he wants for a Mother’s Day gift.

When asked what his mom would say was a memorable Mother’s Day gift, O’Neal could have answered several ways. Something extravagant like a house or a vacation. Maybe a large sum of cash.

For O’Neal, who considers his mother the most influential person in his life, it was a simple gift.

“She would say the cutting board I got her years and years ago with the inscription ‘Lu’s Kitchen,’” O’Neal said. “It was one of the first Mother’s Day gifts I ever got her. Over the years, though, I have been fortunate to get her bigger gifts.”

A cutting board is more memorable than a car or a trip or money? O’Neal knew the kitchen utensil would be special because of their close bond. Lucille explained in a 2017 interview with Scoop B Radio why that cutting board means so much.

“The reason I love it is because when we get in the kitchen together and I cook fried chicken and macaroni and cheese, that cutting board always comes to my mind,” Lucille said. “It was one of my first Mother’s Day gifts.”

Lucille has an imprint on O’Neal’s life in many ways. When O’Neal made rap albums in the 1990s, he’d shout out to his mother. One of his current business ventures, his Big Chicken restaurants, features “Lucille’s Mac N’ Cheese.” The connection with food stretches beyond the cutting board.

O’Neal’s mother, Lucille. (Prince Williams / Wireimage)

He said his mother “instilled strong values” and is a big reason for his giving mindset. O’Neal has made giving back to the community a part of what he does regularly, thanks largely to Lucille. O’Neal focuses a lot of his charitable work on families in need. He remembers his mother struggling financially when he was growing up, so he tries to alleviate the burden for other mothers.

Lucille was 18 when she gave birth to O’Neal and had difficulties as a young mother. This was before she met O’Neal’s stepfather, the late Phillip Harrison. She once said she was “a baby myself, just out of high school” so she essentially grew up with him. Remembering Lucille’s struggles early in his life sparked him to want to help mothers in need.

As the oldest of four children, O’Neal learned to be a helper and go without for the sake of his younger siblings.

“I see giving back as just something we’re supposed to do,” O’Neal said. “I was one of these kids, and my family and community helped me when I needed it, so now I’m just trying to do my part.”

O’Neal doesn’t always publicize what he does. Some of his philanthropic efforts happen when he is at a store and decides to buy something for a child whose mom might not be able to afford it. Lucille doesn’t like her son bragging about what he has or does, so O’Neal is mum on some of his endeavors. But when you’re 7 feet 1, an NBA legend and one of the most recognizable pitchmen, it’s hard not to be noticed.

Some of O’Neal’s public efforts include his Comebaq Courts, which he places in areas he is familiar with to help children. The newest court is at the Shaquille O’Neal Boys & Girls Club of Henry County in the metro Atlanta area. He also had courts built in partnership with Icy Hot in Las Vegas, Miami (with former teammate Alonzo Mourning) and his hometown of Newark, N.J.

“You know, a lot of these kids come from certain backgrounds where mom and dad work two jobs,” O’Neal said. “A lot of times they are left alone, so this gives them a safe haven, a place to come by.”

Lucille is still the one person who can put the Hall of Fame center in his place. Six years ago, O’Neal was feuding on social media with center JaVale McGee, who was often featured on his “Shaqtin’ A Fool” segment on TNT NBA broadcasts, which highlight on-court bloopers.

As the beef seemingly got personal, Lucille told her son to cut it out — and he did.

This week, O’Neal took some heat for laughing after Lakers star Anthony Davis left Wednesday’s playoff game with a head injury. He said he wasn’t mocking the injury.

If there’s anyone who can check O’Neal about that — or anything — it’s Lucille.

“She’s always been my guide,” O’Neal said. “She still is the first person I call when I need advice. She’ll always be the most important person in my life and my biggest influence.”

(Top photo: Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

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