Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal isn’t a name brought up often when it comes to all-time great dunkers as that is usually reserved for more perimeter based players like Vince Carter, Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins and Blake Griffin. But make no mistake, O’Neal has some of the most ferocious and iconic dunks the NBA has ever seen.
Now at 54 years old, O’Neal obviously can’t get up as high as he used to in his prime. But the big man still has more than enough in the tank to throw down a big dunk if he wants to as he recently showed off at the DUNKMAN League, via TNT Sports:
Shaq still got it 😅 pic.twitter.com/GRMeCaAJ8p
— TNT Sports U.S. (@TNTSportsUS) August 5, 2026
Of course O’Neal has to be a showman and do his signature strut afterwards, he simply wouldn’t be himself if he didn’t do that. But regardless, it is impressive to see him still be able to get up at his age and size. It is not an easy feat to say the least.
Back at his peak, O’Neal was a completely different monster. The NBA had never seen someone at his size be able to move the way he did. The NBA was forced to completely change their baskets as he was dunking with so much force that the stanchion was coming down and games had to be delayed as they were fixed. Maybe his most disrespectful dunk came with the Lakers when he famously slammed one down over New York Knicks center Chris Dudley and then casually pushed him down before running back up the court.
O’Neal is now involved in the DUNKMAN League, which is currently holding their DUNKMAN World Championships. This is a league dedicated solely to competitive dunking with the World Championship featuring 24 of the best dunkers from around the world competing in a league format with the group stage airing now on TNT. Finalists will compete for the title of DUNKMAN World Champion and a grand prize of $500,000.
Shaquille O’Neal doesn’t feel love from Lakers fans
Of course O’Neal was far more than just a dunker and is the most dominant big man the NBA has ever seen. Despite that though, he recently stated that he can relate to LeBron James in that he doesn’t feel loved by Lakers fans. O’Neal obviously had a falling out with the organization after they traded him and chose Kobe Bryant to build around, but there definitely still is plenty of love for the big fella in L.A.
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