"Excellence is not a singular act, but a habit. "

Shaquille O'Neal, also known as Shaq, is one of America's most dominant basketball players.

He was named Shaquille Rashaun, which means "little warrior" by his biological father, Joseph Toney. However, he never had a close relationship with him. His mother, Lucille O'Neal Harrison, married Phillip Harrison, a U.S. Army sergeant shortly after his birth (whom Shaq considers his real father). Shaq learned to play basketball in Germany where he spent most of his childhood -- his stepfather was stationed in Wildflecken, Bavaria with the U.S. Army.

Shaq attended high school in San Antonio, TX at Robert G. Cole Junior-Senior High School. He was high school player of the year during his time there. While at Louisiana State University, he was a two-time first team All American, two-time Southeastern Conference player of the year, and the national play of the year in 1991.

Shaq was selected overall in the 1992 NBA Draft by Orlando Magic. The year, the team had 41 wins. Also in 1992 he gained fame by breaking the supports that hold the basket and the backboard twice during slam-dunks.

O'Neal left Orlando to join the L.A. Lakers for a seven-year, $120 million contract. He and his team mate Kobe Bryant lead the Lakers to three consecutive NBA titles (2000, 2001, 2002). Shaq was named MVP of the NBA Finals all three years. He has the highest scoring average for a center in Finals history.

Shaq was traded to the Miami Heat in July, 2004 -- one of the most important trades in sports history. Shaq led the Heat to the EAster Conference Finals and Game 7 against the Detroit Pistons; they lost by a narrow margin. In August 2005, O'Neal signed a $100 million dollar, 5-year, extension contract with the Heat.

O'Neal is married to his long-time girlfriend, Shaunie Nelson. The couple have three children: Shareef Rashaun, Amirah Sanaa, and Shaquir Rashaun. Shaq has another daughter, Taahirah, by ex-girlfriend Arnetta Yardbourgh. Shaq has a high interest in the police department and has gone through the police academy in Los Angeles; he became a reserve officer with the L.A. Port Police. On December 8, 2005, Shaq was sworn in as a reserve officer. He expresses interest in working with the special victims unit