What Is Shaq’s Shoe Size? Exploring How Shaq's Shoe Defined His Brand

By Kirsten Cunanan September 24, 2024 09:56

Shaquille O’Neal is famous for his larger-than-life stature and size 22 shoes. While the most common shoe sizes for NBA players are 13 and 14, Shaq’s enormous foot size made him unique.

Shaq’s Actual Foot Size

O’Neal has worn size 22 shoes throughout his career, but he has admitted that his feet are actually only size 20.

When he was younger, they didn’t have enough money to buy shoes that properly fit him. With that, Shaq had to wear tighter shoes to play. To make up for the pain he endured, he started to wear bigger shoes when he could afford them.

Shaq’s Shoe Lines

In 1992, Reebok decided to sign a deal with O’Neal. This partnership created a series of sneakers for the NBA legend, including the most popular Reebok Shaq Attaq. The shoe line offered multiple colorways and versions to choose from.

Eventually, Shaq decided to cut ties with Reebok and open his own Shaq brand. He made a deal with Walmart to create affordable shoes for everyone. In 2021, Shaq revealed he has sold over 400 million shoes with his own brand. He emphasized that kids are not concerned about shoes that cost $20, but more of if the shoes actually looks like it’s priced at $20.

“I was in all stores, and my price point for the shoes were $29-$19, and since then, we sold over 400 million pairs.”

“It’s not that kids don’t want to wear $20 shoes. They don’t want to wear shoes that look like they cost $20.”

O’Neal’s Philanthropic Ways

Shaq was familiar with the trouble of not finding the right size of shoes, especially when it comes to financial distress. In 2023, Shaq contacted a teenager named Eric Kilburn who wore size 23 shoes. Kilburn also experienced the same problem of looking for shoes that fit him.

Shaq gave Kilburn quite a few pairs of shoes and even customized one for him. Besides the shoes, Shaq also shared words of wisdom with the young dreamer. Kilburn shared, “Shaq said he made $900 million by listening to his mom and dad, so he told me to listen to my parents.”

Kilburn’s mother, Rebecca, posted on social media their gratitude towards Reebok and Shaq. It was truly shoe heaven for her son, and she was happy to see it. She even shared a quote on her son’s reaction to the sent pieces,

“Mom, I don't remember getting to ever choose what I wanted to wear like this before, there's so many options!”

NBA legend Shaq helped another teenager struggling to find size 23 shoes in 2024. He actually sent 20 pairs of shoes and some clothes from his own closet to 16-year-old Jor-el Bolden in Kansas City. Shaq learned about the teenager’s struggle when Bolden’s mother started a GoFundMe for his custom shoes.

Shaq has made quite a legacy in his career, and it is inspiring to see his philanthropy thrive after playing professional basketball. Over the years we learn that Shaq’s larger-than-life stature and shoe size surpasses his physical attributes, as he has the biggest heart too.