Shaquille O'Neal Reveals Plans For New Youth Facility In Las Vegas

NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal recently shared the details of a new youth facility to benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada and Communities In Schools of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas.

The founder of The Shaquille O'Neal Foundation, who is a member of the Communities In Schools national board of directors and Boys & Girls Club Alumni Hall of Fame, talked about the new facility that will sit on land donated by Clark County during a press conference on Wednesday.

In early July, Clark County commissioners approved a vote to donate nearly 5 acres of vacant land to O'Neal's foundation to build a brand new Boys & Girls Club.

And now, a little over a week after learning about the land donation, O'Neal is talking about the new multi-million dollar, 17,000-square-foot facility located in the Northeast Valley that will provide social, recreation, and tech resources for infants up to 24 years old.

"It's just the right thing to do. There's really no explanation," O'Neal said. "It's what I was taught by the great Dr. Lucille O'Neal and anytime I can make her proud, I'm doing a great thing."

O'Neal also shared that he loves the Boys & Girls Club, and said, "When I join a community, I just try to do the right thing. For me, it's not about publicity, it's not about likes. This is what I was taught."

In early July, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that Clark County commissioners approved a deal to donate 4.81 acres of vacant land at the northeast corner of Lamb Boulevard and Kell Lane in Las Vegas to The Shaquille O'Neal Foundation for a new Boys & Girls Club.

The building will "provide youth with academic and personal development resources. The club will also offer college and career readiness opportunities."

O'Neal's Foundation is a Vegas-based 501c3 organization that "provides resources and opportunities for underserved youth." According to the foundation's website, they "team with Boys & Girls Clubs and Community Schools," primarily in Las Vegas and Atlanta.

O'Neal gives back to the community through his Foundation often, in a variety of ways.

"The Event," the Foundation's annual fundraising gala, was held in October at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and had guests bidding on various items during a live auction.

One of the prizes was hanging out with O'Neal at his house, and another was a round of golf with Mark Wahlberg.

"The Event" also featured a private cocktail reception, a private dinner, as well as live music and a comedy show that were open to the public.

O'Neal's Foundation was established in 2019 with the mission to create "pathways for underserved youth, helping them achieve their full potential," according to its website.

The main focus is to partner with Boys & Girls Clubs and Communities in School and to support other charitable endeavors and initiatives.

Throughout the year, the Foundation hosts many projects, including Shaq-a-Claus and Shaq-to-School. They have also provided sports courts for various Boys & Girls Clubs over the years.

In addition to giving back to his community, O'Neal is passionate about education. He recently invested in a startup called Campus, which focuses on helping community college students finish their degrees and further their education to get a bachelor's degree.

"I heard Jeff Bezos say, if you invest in things that's going to change people's lives, you'll always get a great return on your investment," O'Neal told Fortune. "But this particular investment is not about great return because I feel that everyone should have access to world-class education."

O'Neal shared information about Campus on his Instagram page, and many of his followers left their thoughts in the comment section.

"Shaquille O'Neal’s profession is a professional hero. I said it! The best hero I could ever ask for!" one person wrote. Another added, "I love this! This is amazing. Continue to do great things Shaq! We see you! I love how you give back! You are truly an educated, intelligent, humble Brother! Thank you from one Doc to another."