Shaquille O’Neal understands how much of a difference a renovated basketball court can make in a community—and in the lives of the kids who use it. He learned that firsthand through a powerful story shared by his former Boston Celtics teammate, Marquis Daniels.
Back when O’Neal was playing for the Orlando Magic in the 1990s, he funded the refurbishment of a court in an inner-city neighborhood—an act that left a lasting impression on a young Daniels, who grew up in that area.
“It meant everything,” Daniels recalled. “Shaq was someone I looked up to. He was the tallest person I’d ever seen, and he played for my home team. Seeing him give back made a huge impact. That court gave us a safe place to play.”
Years later, when Daniels and O’Neal became teammates in Boston, Daniels reminded him about that moment. O’Neal hadn’t recognized him at first.
“He asked, ‘You don’t remember me?’” O’Neal said, while attending a court rededication event in Rockwall, Texas. “Then he told me how I had fixed up a court in Orlando, and because of that, he was standing here today.”
Court renovations are a familiar sight throughout the NBA and WNBA. During All-Star weekend, the Indiana Fever revealed a newly updated Legacy Court in Indianapolis. This was part of a broader WNBA campaign to add orange 3-point lines to courts around the U.S., aiming to inspire the next generation of players.
The court in Rockwall’s Gloria Williams Park is now one of the “Comebaq Courts,” a collaborative project between Icy Hot and the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation. The goal is to provide safe, well-equipped courts for children across the nation.
“This court hadn’t been refurbished in years, but it holds historic value for the city,” O’Neal said.
The renovation in Rockwall came about thanks to WNBA star Arike Ogunbowale of the Dallas Wings. Having played her entire career in Dallas, she wanted to give back.
“Dallas is like my second home,” Ogunbowale said. “When the opportunity came up to partner with Icy Hot and Shaq, it was an easy yes. The kids in our community support us every night—it’s important to support them, too.”
The project also holds personal significance for O’Neal, who recently moved to the area and expects to make it his permanent home in the future.
“I’ll hop on my scooter or motorcycle and stop by just to see what the kids are up to,” he said. “I work in Atlanta, but it’s only an hour away. Eventually, this will probably be where I stay full time.”
In addition to unveiling the new court, O’Neal, who serves as Reebok Basketball’s president, also handed out brand-new basketball shoes to the local Boys & Girls Club members attending the event.
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