At 54, basketball star Shaquille O’Neal is working towards his fifth university degree. Although his wealth is estimated at $500 million, he continues to make education a priority. He already holds four degrees and is now studying criminology, the study of crime, at Sacramento State University.
O’Neal left university before completing his first degree to begin his professional basketball career. However, he promised his mother that he would return and graduate, and he later fulfilled that promise. He says he never wanted basketball to be the only subject he understood. By continuing his education, he also hopes to show his children that age and success are no reason to stop learning.
For O’Neal, university offers more than knowledge from books. It teaches discipline, cooperation and the importance of completing tasks. He uses artificial intelligence, or AI, but argues that information from technology cannot replace practical experience. He encourages young people to value face-to-face conversations, especially opportunities to ask questions and learn from someone who knows more than they do.
