Shaquille O’Neal gave Damon Wayans a Lakers ring as a reward for a surprising reason: “It’s that special”

Basketball and Hollywood have often crossed paths, but few friendships in the sports and entertainment world are as unique as the one between Shaquille O’Neal and Damon Wayans. The legendary comedian was recently a guest on The Big Podcast with Shaq, where he revealed that O’Neal had given him one of his prized championship rings for relentlessly mocking his missed free throws.

Damon Wayans has been a comic powerhouse, and his legacy is continued with his son’s charismatic prowess in the field of entertainment. NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal has been a close friend of Wayans Sr. and appeared as a guest in the recent episode of The Big Podcast with Shaq. They discussed about the ring that Shaq gave Wayans for taunting him after the former Lakers legend missed three free throws.
“I got a beautiful three-peat ring,” Wayans said. “I’ve never worn it, it’s that special,” he added.
This unexpected gift wasn’t just a random gesture— it was Shaq’s way of showing appreciation for Wayans’ courtside antics, which kept him entertained during his time with the Los Angeles Lakers.
“As a professional athlete, it’s our job to entertain. So, I can remember going to the game and being like ‘Oh s**t, that’s Damon Wayans’, ‘Oh s**t, that’s Eddie Murphy’, ‘Oh s**t, that’s Tom Cruise’. I wanted to give them the joy that they gave me,” Shaq said.
Shaq’s struggles at the free-throw line were certainly hilarious for Wayans. He was a regular at Lakers games and wasn’t shy about heckling O’Neal every time he missed a shot. “Damon was always there. And when I missed free throws, he’d give it to me…” the NBA Hall of Famer continued, adding, “So, whenever I would win, I would find out where my favorite people lived at, and I would just send them that as a token of my appreciation.”
Instead of taking offense, Shaq found joy in the playful ribbing. In fact, he credits Wayans and his legendary comedic family for being a source of relief during the intense grind of an NBA season.

O’Neal explained that, as a professional athlete, it was his job to entertain, just as actors and comedians do in Hollywood. Growing up watching stars like Wayans, Eddie Murphy, and Tom Cruise, he felt a deep respect for the people who brought him joy. Gifting memorabilia, including his championship rings, was his way of giving back.
Beyond the courtside jokes, Shaq has maintained a close relationship with the entire Wayans family, crediting them with helping him escape the pressures of his basketball career.
“The Wayans family was at the apex of making me laugh,” O’Neal said, explaining how their comedic genius provided much-needed distractions from the rigors of life in the NBA. For Shaq, a dose of lighthearted moment was much-needed at the time.
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Wayans has been a well-known celebrity in Hollywood as a stand-up comedian, actor, producer, and writer. He and his son Damon Wayans Jr. appeared in the recent CBS sitcom Poppa's House. Additionally, he has Lethal Weapon, Major Payne, My Wife and Kids, The Last Boy Scout, and several other movies and shows to his credit. Wayans' love for basketball and his friendship with NBA legends like Shaq and Michael Jordan also makes his name known in the basketball community.