Former NBA Champion, 53, Gives Kids a Family Vacation Memory They’ll Never Forget

Imagine getting to play in the pool with a literal legend.

Former Lakers center Shaquille O’Neal, 53, is more than just a prolific basketball player, he’s a brilliant businessman, witty sports analyst, and known as an all-around good guy. A quick scroll through TikTok or Instagram will show you clip after clip of Shaq brightening some fan’s day, and he’s well known for spending quality time with anyone who interacts with him.

However, the dad of six might have outdone himself while on vacation. While most celebrities typically hide out away from the public, Shaq literally dove in and played with a group of young kids in the pool instead.

In the video he pretends to “drown” while the kids rally around him and try to “save” the 7’1″ teddy bear. Fans were totally smitten with the kind gesture.

“I’m convinced Shaq is the best human on this planet right now,” exclaimed on fan.

“All of those kids get to grow up saying ‘I carried Shaq once’ or ‘I swam with Shaq,’ they will always be the coolest kids at the lunch table,” added another.

It’s no surprise the gentle giant is so hands-on with kids.

Shaq has dedicated most of his free time to helping kids since rising to fame in the early 2000s. Just recently he donated sneakers to over 2,000 kids in need at Camp Grace, an organization that aims to “transform the lives of urban under-served youth.”

He also runs The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation, which does everything from building recreational facilities in low-income areas to annual programs that help kids get school supplies that are tough to afford for struggling parents.