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NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal has promised to host a show and entertain basketball fans in Abu Dhabi and the region during his first visit to the Middle East in October.
The four-time NBA champion will visit the UAE in his capacity 2022 NBA Abu Dhabi Games Ambassadorit sees Atlanta Hawks take on defending champion Milwaukee Bucks In two pre-season matches at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island on 6 and 8 October.
A superstar center who has graced teams such as the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat during his 19-year career, O’Neal will also participate in a variety of interactive fan events and youth development programs.
“I’m looking forward to my first visit to the area and I can promise everyone a great time, fun and full of energy,” O’Neal told National During a Zoom call on Monday.
“It’s a test match and the first game of the season and hopefully we’ll get a strong reaction from the fans.”
The Hawks feature two-time NBA All-Star Trae Young, 2020-21 NBA rebounding leader Clint Capela and 2018 NBA Rookie Second Team members John Collins and Bogdan Bogdanovic.
The Bucks could draft two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, three-time NBA All-Star Khris Middleton and four-time NBA All-Defensive Team member Jrue Holiday.
The two teams meet in the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals, and the Bucks go on to win their first NBA championship in 50 years.
“We have two great teams, the Eagles and the Bucks, and as the fan base grows, I’m sure we’ll be back for years to come,” O’Neal added.
Abu Dhabi Games is multi-year partnership A collaboration between the NBA and the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, which launched earlier this year the first Junior NBA Abu Dhabi Leaguea youth basketball league with 450 boys and girls aged 11 to 14 from local schools.
“I was excited to be with the kids, to play with them, to take a few pictures with them,” O’Neal said.
O’Neal has achieved star status and reigned since his NBA debut in 1992, and now his son Sharif can follow the big man’s path after signing with NBA G-League Ignite.
Sharif, 22, showed his pedigree at the Las Vegas and California Classics, but the Los Angeles native has a long way to go before he becomes a solid NBA rotation player.
“He’s a better shooter, a better runner, a better body, but sometimes you need to be a little crazy to want that,” O’Neal said of his son.
“A lot of guys can play basketball, but you have to have a strong personal love for the game. I think if he keeps working hard, he’ll be fine”
NBA Abu Dhabi Games tickets can be purchased at NBAEvents.com/AbuDhabi.
Updated: August 9, 2022 5:13 AM
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