Retired Basketball Star Shaquille O’Neal is coming to Samoa for the 2023 Samoa Games, and is likely to return to the United States with another title to add to his Doctorate—which he got at Barry University in Florida and countless basketball titles.
EyeSpy Radio in Samoa reported this week, that the Basketball Hall of Famer is being lined up to be bestowed a matai title from the village of Leulumoega, close to Faleolo International Airport.
According to the radio station, the local contact for Dr. O’Neal’s visit, Tumanuvao Evile Falefatu, confirmed the star baller will arrive in May 2023 and has plans for young Samoan basketballers to play in the US.
Tumanuvao said, the purpose of Dr. O’Neal’s trip to Samoa is to create a pathway for Samoa’s youth – a new avenue for children in Samoa to play basketball in America and study there.
Samoa is a rugby nation but Tumanuvao pointed out that basketball is more lucrative than rugby.
“That’s the plan. We are trying to create pathways for our boys and girls not only to play basketball but to study in America. That’s the main reason we are pushing this,” he said.
Dr. O’Neal runs basketball programs for youth ages 10 through 18 in Atlanta, and young athletes from Samoa who travel to Atlanta to play will be hosted by Dr. O’Neal according to Tumanuvao.
Tumanuvao, who works for the Samoa Airport Authority, met with Dr. O’Neal during a recent visit on SAA matters and presented him with Samoan artifacts including an orators staff and whisk along with a pandanus fruit necklace.
A photo of Dr. O’Neal wearing the Samoan gifts has already gone viral on social media.
