“Four NBA championships. A Hall of Fame career. A successful business portfolio. And now, another academic milestone.
In May 2026, basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal returned to Louisiana State University (LSU) to receive his Master of Liberal Arts degree, decades after leaving the university to pursue his professional basketball career.
His latest achievement adds to an academic journey that includes a bachelor’s degree in general studies from LSU, an MBA earned in 2005, and a doctorate in education from Barry University in 2012.
For O’Neal, returning to the classroom reflects a commitment to lifelong learning. He previously explained that completing his undergraduate degree fulfilled a promise he made to his mother.
At his 2026 commencement, he encouraged graduates to remain kind, humble, curious, and ambitious about what comes next.
His journey is a reminder that success in one field does not mean you have to stop growing in another. Whether in sports, business, or education, there is always room to learn something new.
You can be accomplished and still be a student. Your next chapter can begin at any age.
Source: Louisiana State University (LSU) and Barry University.”
