'When You're 18, Get Out' – Shaq Told His Three Sons, He Needs A Hedge Fund Operator And A CEO, Not Another Basketball Player

Shaquille O'Neal, one of the most iconic figures in basketball, isn't just known for his dominance on the court – he's also a devoted father with a clear vision for his children's future. In a 2022 interview with Patrick Bet-David, Shaq opened up about his parenting philosophy, his motivation and what success means to him. Spoiler alert: he's not looking for another basketball star in the family.

“When You're 18, Get Out”

For Shaq's three sons, turning 18 apparently came with a life lesson – independence. Shaq is clear about his expectations. "When you’re 18, get out. While you're out, you better get one degree, maybe two, before you come messing with me," he shared. This tough-love approach reflects the discipline he learned growing up. He even handed his sons a copy of The Dummies Guide to Starting Your Own Business as a starting point. It’s a life-changing book Shaq himself received when he was younger. 

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But don't get it twisted. His goal is to see his sons succeed in fields like finance and business. "We don't need another basketball player," he said. "I need a hedge fund operator, a CEO – something different."

When it comes to his three daughters, Shaq's approach softens. "Hey baby, you can stay as long as you want. I love you, sweetheart," he said, laughing. He's protective of them, emphasizing they don't need to worry about rushing into marriage or leaving the nest. It balances firmness and tenderness, showing how Shaq tailors his parenting to each child.

Shaq's parenting style is deeply rooted in his upbringing. Growing up with a strict, disciplined father, he learned the value of making good decisions. One vivid memory involves an agent offering him $1 million in cash during college. "I've never seen so much money in my life," he said. But he turned it down, knowing the risks and consequences.

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"College should be a place of higher learning," he explained. Although he supports today's NIL deals, which allow college athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness, Shaq believes education is key. His degree helped him prepare for life beyond basketball.

For Shaq, success has always been tied to family. His dream wasn't to own luxury cars or mansions but to provide for his mother. "When I'm playing I'm on that court, you can’t outplay me because if you are, you're taking my mother's house away and I can't have that, so I will damn kill you." 

When asked about gaining an edge in any industry, he emphasized learning from failures, surrounding yourself with smarter people and staying mentally tough. "If you mentally know you're the best, no one can compete with you," he said.

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He also shared his belief in persistence. Whether making 200 sales calls or perfecting a jump shot, success comes from consistent effort. "The mentally strong always get the job done," Shaq explained.

Despite his busy schedule, Shaq made time for his kids. When he came home, he transformed into "Dogman," a playful alter ego who chases and wrestles his kids around the house. This tradition helped him connect with them after days spent in business meetings or on the road.

"I can't always come home and be the bad guy," he admitted, explaining why he let their mothers handle most of the discipline. He expanded on what his kids were up to at the time of the interview, saying, "I have six perfect children. I don't have any problems. One is an executive marketer for Pepsi. She already has a bachelor’s. Another one has his bachelor’s; he's good-looking like me, he's a model. My youngest son is in a G league and I got two in college and one left in high school. Then I'll be done."

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