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[Saba Sports News] Shaquille O’Neal is making a return to Sacramento — this time in a new role.
Shams Charania of ESPN reported Monday that the retired Basketball Hall of Famer has agreed to become the general manager of Sacramento State’s men’s basketball team. O’Neal’s position will be voluntary, according to Charania.
The move coincides with O’Neal’s son, Shaqir, announcing his transfer to Sacramento State. The 22-year-old forward entered the transfer portal in March after playing last season at Florida A&M.
Interestingly, Sacramento State’s head coach is a former NBA rival of O’Neal’s from his playing days — but any old tensions seem to have been set aside with Shaqir’s arrival and O’Neal stepping into a leadership role with the Hornets.
Although O’Neal, now 53, has no prior front office experience, he boasts an impressive track record as a businessman, having invested in numerous successful ventures. He also has ties to the Sacramento area, having been a minority owner of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings from 2013 to 2022.
Sacramento State could use the boost: the team finished a dismal 7-25 last season and has not posted a winning record since 2019-20. With O’Neal’s star power now in the fold, the Hornets hope to turn the page toward a more promising future.