Shaquille O'Neal to announce shock retirement?

  • By Smith Alexander
  • Washington
  • Last updated on

Former NBA legend created a stir on Sunday when rumors have surfaced that his career was over.

Sad news for O'Neal fans. Speculation had been rife that Former NBA legend is about to announce his retirement from sports, at age 53, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 02/02/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a basketball player isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a basketball player just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouShaquille

For a little while on Sunday evening, #ThankYouShaquille was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“Shaquille O'Neal was unlike any other basketball player we’ve ever seen! #ThankYouShaquille”
— @universalObserver, 1 Feb 2026
“O'Neal wasn't retired?”
— @borisB0, 1 Feb 2026

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