Shaquille O’Neal’s well-known love for Edmonton reached new heights this week – and that’s saying a lot for a man who’s already seven-foot-one.
The NBA legend-turned-analyst was first spotted in Alberta’s capital Tuesday night at a Sherwood Park restaurant.
“I must inform all the people who saw me out last night that was not me, that was an AI clone,” O’Neal joked to CityNews.
“You people in Sherwood, Sherwood Park? Sherwood Forest? That wasn’t really me. You’ve been fooled,” he added, sticking his tongue out.
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal sticks his tongue out during an interview with CityNews in Edmonton on March 11, 2026. (Zach Dafoe, CityNews)
O’Neal was in fact in Edmonton because he partnered with The Brick, which was founded in Edmonton, on a new big-and-tall line of furniture. O’Neal took part in the line’s unveiling at the Edmonton Convention Centre on Wednesday morning.
The four-time NBA champion says you don’t have to twist his arm to visit Canada – even in winter.
“Everyone in Canada knows Shaq loves Canada,” he said, breaking out into a quick rendition of O Canada.
“I’ve been to Toronto, been to Vancouver, I’ve been to Calgary. I love Canada. Winter, spring, summer, fall. If you need me in Canada, Shaq will be there.
“I went out last night by myself. The town was very hospitable. I’ve been coming here for 30 years. And you people are beautiful people.”
Shaq’s connection to Edmonton really took off during the Oilers’ 2024 Stanley Cup playoff run after the “NHL on TNT” – the sister program of Shaq’s “NBA on TNT” – nickname him “Shaq Hyman,” a nod to Oilers winger Zach Hyman.
O’Neal even twice appeared on that station’s NHL program, putting his hockey skills to the test.
The nickname got the attention of the Oilers, which gifted O’Neal a Zach Hyman jersey. Shaq later returned the favour by sending Hyman a Los Angeles Lakers jersey.
The NBA star says he won’t have a chance to connect with Hyman — who Shaq calls “Jack Hyman” — or the Oilers this time around.
“No, but a good friend of mine, aka boss lady, I’m not gonna say her name, because she’s very, very famous, she gave me an autographed Jack Hyman jersey. So thank you, Jack. I appreciate you very much sir.”
O’Neal confirmed he would already be back home when the Oilers next play at Rogers Place on Sunday.
Shaq said he did not intend to convince his coworker and friend/rival Charles Barkley to come up to Edmonton to watch an Oilers game.
“Nope. Jack Hyman is mine,” Shaq said.
The larger-than-life star left CityNews with some parting words on how he stays humble.
“Growing up always being the big man hanging around with little guys, I learned to do little guy stuff. So I actually feel normal, even though I’m way bigger than you are, I actually feel normal. Being the big man to me means being nice, respectful, a guy that’s calm and a guy that’s well-respected.”
–With files from Darcy Ropchan