Shaq was one of the greatest players in NBA history, yet he never made Team USA's Dream Team. That rejection bothered him deeply and it became something that he often had to consider when making decisions for his family.

At that time, FIBA allowed professional basketball players to participate in the Olympics, providing these elite athletes with a platform to showcase their skillset. Unsurprisingly, they easily won out and took home the gold medal once again.

Why did he get left off?

Shaquille O'Neal was an incredible basketball star that achieved great success both on and off the court. Throughout his career, he earned several awards and is currently an analyst for Inside the NBA.

He was also a member of the 1996 Olympic team. With an impressive net worth and status as one of sports history's greatest success stories, he continues to be one of basketball's greatest legends.

In his eight seasons in the NBA, he has won four championships and earned himself a place among the National Basketball Association's 50 greatest players list. These accomplishments have also enabled him to increase his net worth to an impressive $292 million.

Shaq was a high school student on the McDonald's All-American Team and later earned himself a spot on the NCAA National Player of the Year during his college tenure at LSU. Drafted by the Orlando Magic in 2011, he has since gone on to win multiple NBA titles and been named an All-NBA First Team member.

O'Neal had an immense talent on the court and his size and strength made him a formidable opponent. Additionally, his incredible personality earned him fans around the globe who loved watching him play.

He averaged 21.6 points and 13.5 rebounds during his three years at LSU, earning him the title of two-time All-SEC selection and three-time All-American.

Shaq was an iconic part of The Dream Team and his presence was felt throughout every game as well as during their publicity campaign. In addition, he earned himself the title of NBA Rookie of the Year for his rookie season with Orlando Magic.

Basketball's most iconic moment occurred at a pivotal juncture. It marked the last time some of its greatest players would come together on one team, leading them to victory at the Olympics and inspiring international sports with its impact. This team would go on to become an icon in basketball history.

Shaq ultimately had to accept his exclusion from the Dream Team with dignity and grace, regardless of how difficult it may have been at times. Despite having difficulty accepting not making the cut for his dream team teammates, his incredible career allowed him to cement himself as a legend in basketball history.

Why was he picked over Laettner?

At the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, the USA assembled what many basketball fans called "The Dream Team," featuring some of basketball's biggest stars like Michael Jordan and Larry Bird. However, at the bottom of their roster stood Christian Laettner - a 22-year-old fresh out of college who made it to the Games with no prior NBA experience.

Laettner wasn't just an outstanding college player - he also became one of the top picks in the 1992 draft class and was selected third overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Throughout his college career, Laettner earned numerous accolades, including two NCAA National Championships.

O'Neal may have had the more renowned name and greater fame, but Laettner was an ideal college player with his four-year NCAA career and two tournament victories. Plus, his professional success had already been established, making him an ideal selection for the Dream Team.

Shaq was an icon in the NBA, becoming four-time champion and three-time Finals MVP. Additionally, he has achieved great success as an entrepreneur by investing in businesses which have enabled him to become a multi-millionaire.

At its inception, The Dream Team made headlines and remains one of the greatest teams ever assembled. Comprised of several future Hall of Famers such as Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone and Scottie Pippen among others, this incredible group will always be remembered for its legendary status today.

O'Neal was the most sought-after name in the draft and one of basketball's all-time greats. His iconic status has earned him a place in history by being considered as both the NBA's greatest ever player, with his career being immortalized in the National Basketball Association Hall of Fame.

Laettner was an underrated player, often overlooked by his peers and not given the same respect as O'Neal. Although he was the youngest member of the Dream Team and only had one All-Star appearance, Laettner nonetheless proved himself to be a solid if not spectacular player that deserves to be included among football's all-time greats.

Why was he snubbed?

Shaquille O'Neal entered the NBA as a rookie full of potential. He went on to be selected as the number one overall pick in 1992 and made an immediate impact during his rookie season, averaging 23.4 points and 13.9 rebounds per game. Additionally, he was part of the 1991-1992 NBA All-Star team.

When Team USA was selecting its Olympic squad, there was an abundance of talent to choose from. Names like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley and Jon Stockton graced the list - truly a Dream Team.

However, some players were left off the team for reasons which can be somewhat mysterious. One such case is Isiah Thomas - a part of two consecutive NBA championships who was unexpectedly left off. This omission was the subject of a documentary which premiered on Wednesday night and explored this curious oversight.

Thomas would have made an outstanding addition to the Dream Team, but his past relationships with some of its stars may have played a role in their decision. It was reported that Magic, Bird and Scottie Pippen had some issues with Thomas in the past.

One name to keep in mind when considering this player is Christian Laettner, who had just won back-to-back National titles at Duke and was considered the best player on Earth during that period. Additionally, he was a three-time All-American and College Player of the Year in 1992.

At the end of the day, it came down to who had more star power. Laettner was an impressive player at that time but not quite as polished and explosive as O'Neal.

In 2012, Shaq met with Mike Wise to discuss his Dream Team snub and why it had such an impact on him. During their conversation, Shaq revealed his jealousy of all the talented players on the team.

Though it's understandable why Shaq wasn't chosen over other great players, his unwillingness to accept defeat played a major role in why he couldn't prevail. It is well known that Shaq has an intense competitive nature; in order to motivate himself to perform better on the field, he would look for opportunities to get angry or jealous.

What happened?

One of the most renowned NBA teams ever was the 1992 Dream Team. It was the first professional basketball team to represent America at an Olympic games, and they made history by winning gold medals.

In 1992, 12 superstars made up the NBA All-Star Team and it was truly a dream come true for everyone around the world to watch them compete and capture gold medals. It was truly one of the greatest moments in sports history and everyone involved had an incredibly special experience.

Shaquille O'Neal is one of the greatest players in NBA history, having achieved four championships and being named three-time Finals MVP. However, his absence from his teammates proved too much for Shaq to bear and it proved a difficult experience for him to cope with.

He even went on the Mike Wise show to discuss it and expressed his disappointment that he hadn't made the team, saying it would've been amazing to be part of it.

Shaq expressed his displeasure with the decision, yet understood why they selected Laettner over him and that it wasn't his fault.

Christian Laettner had far greater success at college than Shaq did, winning two NCAA championships and earning himself the Most Outstanding Player award in the Final 4. Additionally, he was on several other college player of the year teams as well.

Shaq was an incredible player, but his college career cannot compare to Laettner's at Duke. He was part of back-to-back championship teams, played in every NCAA final of his career and hit one of college basketball's most clutch shots - an accomplishment which will always remain with him.

Shaq was an impressive rookie, averaging 23.4 points and 13.9 rebounds during his rookie season. He quickly established himself as one of the league's best players, which helped explain why the NBA selected him number one overall.

He had an incredible season for the Los Angeles Lakers, culminating in him winning an MVP award and becoming one of basketball's greatest centers. Earning three NBA Finals MVP awards and being an All-Star for 15 seasons, he was an unstoppable force on the court; yet his exclusion from the Dream Team remains a painful memory to this day.

Shaquille O'Neal Next to His Wife

Shaquille O'Neal has made a lasting impact as both an athlete and role model, inspiring many to pursue success both on and off the court. As such, he has achieved great success and built an expansive empire.

Despite all his success, he still makes time for family activities and serves as a role model for his kids.

Shaquille O’Neal next to his wife

Shaquille O'Neal is one of basketball's greatest ever, and his wife Shaunie O'Neal is an acclaimed actress. They have four children together and have been married since 2002.

Shaunie O'Neal was born in Wichita Falls, Texas on November 27, 1974 and is an acclaimed model and businesswoman who has appeared on multiple TV shows. Additionally, she is the mother of her two children - Shaqir and Me'arah Sanaa - whom she adopted at an early age from Pakistan.

In her early 20s, she began dating Shaq. They had a daughter together named Taahirah, and were married for nine years before divorcing.

After their divorce, O'Neal began dating other women including Nicole Alexander and Laticia Rolle. He is now believed to be seeing actress Annie Ilonzeh.

He's been seen having a blast at the beach with Annie Ilonzeh in Spain, and it looks like they're having an excellent time. As an accomplished celebrity and TV personality, Annie Ilonzeh has had many successful projects on television.

O'Neal, who stands at 7'1", doesn't seem to mind dating shorter women. For instance, he and reality TV star Nicole "Hoopz" Alexander have been together for three years despite only having a height difference of around one foot.

O'Neal has previously been linked to Jordin Sparks and Laticia Rolle; however, he recently separated from her and is reported to be dating actress Annie Ilonzeh in 2022.

Throughout his NBA career, O'Neal earned several MVP awards and established himself as one of the league's most dominant players. He was also renowned for his locker room antics and jokes.

From these photos of O'Neal, it is evident that he possesses the strength and power to overcome any challenge. This is especially evident when compared to Robert Wadlow - the tallest man to ever live.

This photo of Shaquille O'Neal standing next to a wax figure of Wadlow is truly astonishing! Even though Shaq is only seven feet tall, he manages to tower over this replica of the world's tallest person!

Shaq is undisputedly the greatest player in NBA history, having remained a star for over two decades.

Shaquille O’Neal next to his daughter

Shaquille O'Neal has always been a big family man and cherishes his relationship with his wife Shaunie Nelson. Together they have four children: Shareef O'Neal, Amirah O'Neal, Taahirah O'Neal and Myles O'Neal.

As a father, O'Neal has always been proud of his children and enjoys spending time with them whenever possible. Despite his hectic schedule, he makes time to visit his family members in their homes.

O'Neal enjoys a close bond with his daughter Me'arah. Recently, the young woman has been making headlines for her impressive basketball skills and it appears she may be an adept player on the court.

Basketball legend Michael Jordan has a big heart and is passionate about encouraging his daughter's love of the game. He wishes for her to grow up to be an inspiring champion who makes a positive impact in the world.

Another admirable quality about the NBA legend is his strong resolve and resilience when faced with hardship. This has enabled him to become an incredibly successful businessman and investor.

One of O'Neal's investments is Shaquille's, a chain of restaurants located in Atlanta and Las Vegas which he owns a stake.

In addition to his restaurant business, O'Neal also owns several car washes and fitness centers. Reports indicate he owns around 150 of these businesses which are generating substantial income for him.

On Thursday, the former NBA player visited Melbourne for a speaking event and will be in Sydney this weekend as well.

O'Neal is enjoying his time in Australia and getting to know a new country while looking forward to meeting Australian athletes. The Hall of Famer plans on visiting several Australian teams, such as Brisbane Heat, Sydney Thunder and Adelaide Sharks.

Shaq appears content in life, whether he's traveling to Australia for a sporting event or spending time with his family. He is an enthusiastic supporter of his daughter's success and strives to be by her side whenever possible.

Shaquille O’Neal next to his son

Shaquille O'Neal is a legendary figure and one of the greatest athletes in NBA history. A former champion who appeared in three Finals and earned himself an impressive resume that includes eight All-NBA First Teams selections, an Olympic gold medal in 1996 and leading scoring twice during that season are just some of his accomplishments.

But O'Neal is more than just a star athlete; he's also a proud father with five children, two with his wife Shaunie Nelson. His son Myles O'Neal, an independent millionaire who earned $1.5 million through professional DJing and modeling activities, joined by other family members on this venture.

O'Neal has always had an affinity for sports, so it's only natural that he would want to help his son improve at it. That's why O'Neal let Shareef dunk all over him on the court - even posting video online so everyone could see.

The 6-foot-9 player is a four-star power forward and one of the top players in his class, according to 247Sports Composite Rankings. Although O'Neal and Shaunie did not want him there for pre-NBA Draft workouts in Los Angeles, he remains determined to make it count and prove he's ready to take on the world.

Shaq may not have children with his ex-wife, but he still demonstrates a great amount of affection for his family. Recently during a podcast episode with his co-hosts, O'Neal was delighted to find out that his son Myles will be appearing on the reality show 'Relatively Famous: Ranch Rules'.

At 18 years old, Myles has already gained notoriety by endorsing several high-profile brands such as Under Armour and Givenchy. Additionally, he has featured on various television shows and commercials.

Parentally, O'Neal strives to give his kids the best experiences. He does this through teaching them about basketball and other exciting activities. We know he is a wonderful father, and we wish him continued happiness with his son and other children.

Shaq, one of the tallest athletes in history, often gets compared to others his height. In fact, he even posed for an iconic picture next to Robert Wadlow - 8'11" and still considered as the tallest man alive today.

Shaquille O’Neal next to his mother

Shaquille O'Neal is a professional basketball player who has won multiple championships. Despite his considerable talent, he always maintained an humble demeanor throughout his career - particularly when it came to his relationships with others.

One of the most fascinating aspects of O'Neal's life is his relationship with his mother Lucille O'Neal. She brought him into this world and was very supportive of his career choices as well as making sure he had everything he needed while growing up.

In addition to his mother, O'Neal also has a stepfather named Phillip Harrison. At first, Shaq had an strained relationship with his biological father Joseph Toney due to Toney's drug problem and prison stint; at two years old Shaq was left without a parent when their relationship ended.

Thankfully, O'Neal's mother helped him work through his difficult relationship with his biological father. Eventually, they reconciled and formed an intensely close bond.

This picture was taken during an NBA Read To Achieve celebration in February 2003. The two men are quite tall, and the photo gives it the impression they're about to embrace each other.

They're holding hands, an unusual pose for a sports star that makes O'Neal appear very small!

He's surrounded by many celebrities, such as Yao Ming and Christina Aguilera. It's hard to believe X-Tina is actually shorter than her fellow NBA all-star!

Shaq has had a storied career in music, releasing several albums that went platinum. Additionally, he has featured on many films and television shows.

In 2001, Shaquille O'Neal presented pop singer Janet Jackson with the Award of Merit at the 28th Annual American Music Awards - and she looked completely dwarfed by his 7'1" height!

O'Neal was an icon in his day, and few big men can match his physical dominance. That's why his legacy still endures to this day.

In 2007, Shaq tied the knot with former model Shaunie Nelson and they welcomed their son together as well as two children from a previous marriage. O'Neal is known for his loving and caring personality, while Nelson shares an infectious sense of humor.