Reports: Shaquille O’Neal set to be Sac State’s basketball GM

Sacramento State couldn’t have found a bigger general manager for its basketball program — literally. Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal is set to take on the job without pay.

BY FIELD LEVEL MEDIA

Apr 29, 2025, 11:12 AM Updated: 11:30 am

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Watch: Shaquille O'Neal Named General Manager Of Sacramento State Basketball #ShaqState | 11 mins

Sacramento State couldn’t have found a bigger general manager for its basketball program — literally.

Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal is set to take on the job without pay, ESPN and the Sacramento Bee reported Monday.

The 7-foot-1 superstar already had a connection with the school: His son Shaqir transferred to Sacramento State last month after spending two seasons at Texas Southern and then last season at Florida A&M.

Shaquille O’Neal has another tie to the area, as he was a part owner of the Sacramento Kings following his playing days.

Shaquille O’Neal has agreed to become the men’s basketball general manager of Sacramento State, sources tell ESPN. It will be a voluntary role for Shaq, whose son, Shaqir O’Neal, also plays for Sac State under Mike Bibby. Shaq and Bibby form a star duo as college GM and coach. pic.twitter.com/3F2NQBbhf7

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 29, 2025

The general manager role is a relatively new addition to college sports as schools adjust to a landscape that had been dramatically changed by the legalization of name, image and likeness (NIL) payments as well as widespread player movement thanks to the transfer portal.

Shaquille O’Neal, 53, won three NBA championships as a center for the Los Angeles Lakers (winning NBA Finals MVP each time) and another title with the Miami Heat. He was a 15-time All-Star in a career that included stints with the Orlando Magic (1993-94 to 1995-96), the Lakers (1996-97 to 2003-04), the Heat (2004-05 to 2006-07), the Phoenix Suns (2007-08), the Cleveland Cavaliers (2009-10) and the Boston Celtics (2010-11).

Since 2011, Shaquille O’Neal has been a commentator on TNT’s acclaimed “Inside the NBA” television show.

In March, Sacramento State hired former Sacramento Kings player Mike Bibby to be its head coach despite his lack of college coaching experience at any level. The Hornets went 7-25 last season under interim coach Michael Czepil. He took over after David Patrick left to become an assistant coach at LSU after two seasons in which Sacramento State went 24-42.

–Field Level Media

More Sacramento State basketball coverage on Sactown Sports

Mike Bibby took the stage at Sacramento State this week as the university introduced him as the next head coach of the men’s basketball program.

Bibby, a longtime member of the Sacramento Kings from 2001-2008, took the stage with Sacramento State President Dr. Luke Wood and Athletic Director Mark Orr for an introduction that ushered in a new era of Hornets basketball.

“Today is a defining moment for Sacramento State and the city of Sacramento,” Wood said. “Mike Bibby is a name that resonates with every level of basketball… Mike isn’t just a basketball legend, he’s a Sacramento legend. He understands the spirit of this place.”

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