Image Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Shaquille O’Neal Joins Sacramento State as General Manager, Reunites With Mike Bibby for College Basketball Push

Image Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal will now be contributing to College basketball with his latest move. The former Los Angeles Lakers star has made headlines on and off the court for his illustrious career and he now, will be giving back to the game more which provided him so much.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Shaquille O’Neal has accepted a high degree role at a College basketball program. Diesel will work as General Manager of the Sacramento State Hornets’ basketball program. This will be one of the first major off court college basketball roles for Shaq.

Coincidentally, Shaquille O’Neal’s son Shaqir O’Neal is also enrolled in Sacramento State as a student. The father son duo will work together in the basketball program. Shaqir O’Neal will be transferring from Florida A&M Rattlers for his senior year in College. The 22-year-old in the 2024-25 season posted an average of 6.7 points and 3.4 rebounds for the Florida side.

Mike Bibby – Head Coach
Shaquille O’Neal – General Manager

Come play for Sacramento State🐝 pic.twitter.com/xT4kHfhnS6
— J🐝 (@JamoSacSt) April 29, 2025

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Shaquille O’Neal is not the first one to accept a higher role in a college basketball program. Recently, Stephen Curry signed as an assistant general manager for his alma mater, Davidson College. It was at Davidson that Curry burst onto the basketball scene, drawing attention from the NBA for his three point shooting prowess.

Former NFL quarterback Andrew Luck also accepted a similar position with Stanford University last year. More big names are expected to join college programs as the popularity and the potential of the sport is on the rise.

Hornets Revamp Basketball Program Under Luke Wood’s Leadership

Sacramento State have made a big move by getting Shaquille O’Neal as the general manager for their basketball program. The University has made several overhaul changes for a better future. To begin with, they have one of the youngest President in Luke Wood, who is just 43-years-old.

Luke Wood has initiated radical changes in the internal structure of their basketball program. He recently hired former Sacramento Kings star Mike Bibby as the head coach for the Sacramento State Hornets. He has replaced assistant coach Michael Czepil who took the side to 7-25 in the previous college basketball season.

Sacramento State Hornets are eyeing to play in the NCAA tournament with these changes. For a program still chasing its first NCAA tournament appearance since moving to Division I in 1991, the arrival of O’Neal could be the push they’ve been waiting for. With Shaquille O’Neal and Bibby at the helm, the Hornets could start attracting some significant college talents, making a case for their NCAA run.