Shaquille O’Neal set to visit Melbourne in 2020

He’s one of the most successful and loveable NBA players of all time, and now Shaquille O’Neal will be coming to Melbourne next year. This is where you can see the megastar.

Basketball megastar Shaquille O’Neal will next year visit Australia in a three city slam dunk tour of three capital cities.

The Los Angeles Lakers legend and basketball Hall of Famer will visit Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane in a rare visit to coincide with the NBA Finals.

“Shaq” – one of the greatest basketballers of all time – will stage a series of speaking tours and fan events during his five day whirlwind tour.

Shaquille O’Neal was a 15 time NBA All-Star, four time NBA champion and NBA MVP.

Promoter George Haddad of the Hour Group said contracts were signed and tickets to see enigmatic O’Neal share intimate details of his career would also sell out.

“Basketball is growing rapidly in Australia and Shaquille O’Neal coming here validates that even more,” he said.

“We are excited to have him here and see him interact with all his fans.”

Standing 2.16m tall and weighing about 147kg during a 19-year career for six teams, O’Neal won four championships, was a 15 time All Star and NBA MVP.

O’Neal played for six teams over his 19 years.

‘Shaq’ made a name for himself for his dunks and imposing figure.

The visit comes in the wake of his former Lakers legend team mate Kobe Bryant this year selling out a similar speaking engagement at Melbourne’s Crown Palladium.

And Australian record crowds packed Marvel Stadium to watch Australia play Team USA in August.

With the sport booming down under, Basketball Victoria chief executive Nick Honey said fans would jump at the chance to hear O’Neal talk about the game, business and life.

“It’s pretty exciting to have one of the most dominant NBA players in history come to Melbourne and share his story with the Victorian basketball community,” he said.

“Incredible basketball events come to Victoria because we love the sport, and are keen to learn from the best both on and off the court.”

O’Neal will be in Melbourne for less than a week

The NBA legend will host seminars and in-store appearances.

O’Neal – an Olympic Gold Medallist, two time NBA scoring champion, three time Finals MVP and rapper – will also show off his musical side while in Australia.

He will DJ two gigs at locations yet to be announced and is expected to make several store appearances for sponsors.

Tickets to his seminars will cost between $89 and $499 with the most expensive seats including a meet and greet and photo with the basketball giant.

Despite being in Australia less than a week, O’Neal will be offered the chance to visit iconic sites such as the Twelve Apostles, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Yarra Valley.

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He will be offered a private tour of Melbourne Zoo and a chance to climb the Harbour Bridge.

O’Neal, who also played for Miami, Orlando, Boston, Cleveland and Phoenix, will arrive in Australia on June 10 with the NBA Finals tipping off days earlier.

Ticket presale registrations for the “Shaq Australia 2020” tour open at 9am Monday.

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Originally published as Shaquille O’Neal set to visit Melbourne in 2020