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How tall is Shaq O’Neal? The towering figure of NBA history

All hail the giant of basketball! Take an engaging look into the legendary height of one of NBA’s greatest players. Discover how tall is Shaq and why his size was so important to his success in this post.

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Does Shaq stand as tall as his achievements in the NBA?

basketball player
Most basketball player are vey tall, but how tall is Shaquille O’Neal? Source: Freepik.

Shaquille O’Neal is an American former professional basketball player and current sports broadcaster. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NBA history, but dfo you know how tall is Shaq?

He is a towering figure in the world of basketball, winning 4 championships and 3 MVP awards.

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In addition to his basketball career, O’Neal has starred in several Hollywood films and been involved in a number of business ventures. 

Shaquille O’Neal is one of the tallest NBA players in history. But according to the former basketball star, he’s not as tall as people think.

When recently, the player Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is 6’11”, claimed on social media that he is taller than Shaquille, people started wondering how tall Shaq really is.

We all know he is a big guy, but just how big is he? His height has helped him become one of the league’s most successful and popular players.

In this post, we will look closely at Shaq’s height and see how it has impacted his career. We will also discuss some of the other tallest players in the world of sports. Stay tuned!

Shaq isn’t as tall as you think he is

basketball player
Shaq is very tall, but maybe not as tall as you think he is. Source: Freepik.

At 6’11”, Giannis Antetokounmpo is already one of the tallest players in the NBA. But according to the Greek Freak himself, he’s even taller than Shaquille O’Neal.

On social media, Antetokounmpo said that he is “definitely” taller than Shaq, who is listed at 7’1”. 

In a recent podcast interview, when asked about the claims, Shaq revealed that he is actually 2 inches shorter than his listed height of 7 feet 1 inch. “I’m really 6’11’’” he said. “But I got two inches taken away from me when I measured for the draft.” 

Shaquille O’Neal has used his height to his advantage throughout his career, using his size to bully other players.

Shaq also opened up about how his height has affected his life, both on and off the court. “It’s hard to find clothes that fit me, and I can never go on roller coasters because my legs are too long,” he said. 

Despite these challenges, Shaq says he wouldn’t change his height for anything. “I love being tall,” he said. “It’s given me a chance to do amazing things in my career.”

Why are basketball players generally taller than the average person?

Basketball players are often tall like Shaquille O’Neal, and there are several explanations for why this is the case. 

One reason is that height gives players an advantage in shooting and rebounding. A taller player can easily reach the basket and block shots more effectively. 

Additionally, tall players often have a longer wingspan, which gives them a greater reach when defending or rebounding. Finally, many coaches prefer taller players because they provide a bigger pass target. 

So while Shaq’s height may seem like a freakish anomaly, it’s actually quite common for professional basketball players. And it’s all because size does matter on the court.

What are some of the tallest athletes in sports?

basketball player
Being tall is a great advantage while playing basketball. Source: Freepik.

Shaq O’Neal is one of the tallest athletes in NBA history. Standing at 7 feet 1 inch, he was a force to be reckoned with on the court. However, Shaq is not the only tall athlete out there.

Here are just a few of the tallest athletes in a variety of different sports:

In basketball, 7’6’’ Yao Ming is one of the tallest players in NBA history. While he retired from the sport in 2011, his legacy as a talented player who helped bridge the gap between East and West endures. 

In volleyball, there have been several players who have topped seven feet, including Cuba’s Roberlandy Simon (7’4″) and Poland’s Mariusz Wlazly (7’3″).

In horse racing, jockey Ann Derby holds the record for being the tallest female jockey in history. Standing 6 feet tall, she had a successful career riding steeplechase and flat racing before retiring in 2001.

In track and field, Ukrainian pole vaulter Sergey Bubka also stands at 7’3″, while American high jumper Stefan Holm is a mere 7’2″. They’re both taller than Shaquille O’Neal.

When it comes to tennis, the tallest player on record is Ivo Karlovic, who is 6 feet 11 inches tall.

The Croatian, who turned professional in 2000, has won 19 singles titles and reached a career-high singles ranking of world No. 13 in February 2006.

Even in a sport like golf, which is not typically associated with height, there have been some very tall players, including 6’10″ꟷ Norwegian professional golfer Thorbjorn Olesen. 

Is it good to be a tall athlete?

Being tall has its advantages in many sports. In basketball, a taller person has a better chance of making a shot since they are closer to the hoop.

They also have an advantage in blocking shots and grabbing rebounds. That’s one of the reasons why Shaquille O’Neal is a great player, but not only because of it.

In volleyball, a taller person has a longer reach, which allows them to spike the ball over the net more effectively. They also have an advantage in blocking shots.

In tennis, a taller person has a larger court coverage, meaning they can reach more shots. They also have more power behind their swings.

Top 5 easiest sports to play: find the right one for you

While height is an important asset in some of these categories of sport, being the greatest at it also requires years of hard work and training. 

But not all sports are like that. In fact, the next ones are so easy you can become a pro in no time. Check out the following article on the top 5 easiest sports to play. 

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Top 5 easiest sports to play: find the right one f

Find out more about the benefits of playing these sports and how easy it is to get started.

About the author  /  Vinicius Barbosa

Vinicius Barbosa is a writer of finance-related content on this portal. Graduated in Social Communication, he writes about everything that involves the world of finances, from credit card recommendations to investment tips, for readers who want to make better decisions when it comes time to spend their money or invest wisely.

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