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On November 30, 2022, the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation & IC Hot unveiled the latest “Comeback Court” updated athletic pieces in collaboration with Alonzo Morning at the Overtown Youth Center in Miami, FL.
Rob Kim | Good pictures
NBA champions Shaquille O’Neal and Alonzo Morning are reuniting in Miami to give fans a reason to cheer.
The former Heat centers who brought an NBA championship to Miami in 2006 are teaming up to renovate a basketball court as part of a $20 million renovation at a youth center in South Beach. The project is funded Shaquille O’Neal Foundation and its long-time partner Icy Hot, fix the rundown courts as part of their Comebaq Courts program.
Comebaq Courts has also renovated the basketball courts Las Vegas, Nevada And Newark, New Jersey.
The latest “Comebaq Court” is located inside Mourning’s in Miami Overtown Youth Center.
“When I got drafted in 1992, the first thing my mom said to me was ‘kid, now that you’re rich and famous, you’ve got a responsibility,'” O’Neill said. “All these kids look up to you,” she said, “and you have to say the right thing and do the right thing.”
O’Neal and grief were among the topics discussed in an interview with CNBC, which also included weighing in on the state of the NBA and pickleball. They noted that they want to pay it forward and make sure the next generation has the resources to succeed on and off the court.
“Shaq and I didn’t get here on our own. We got here because of other people’s contributions. I’m very fortunate and I know he’s very fortunate to have helped me get to this point,” Mourning said.
O’Neill said he grew up in the projects of Newark, New Jersey. His father insisted he go to the Boys & Girls Club across the street to stay out of trouble. It was there that he developed his basketball game and interest as a disc jockey.
“Basketball was a life-changing event for me. It helped me stay out of trouble,” O’Neill said.
The newly renovated court is slated to reopen in 2023.
Pickle ball
With pro basketball in the rearview mirror for former NBA stars, CNBC asked America’s hottest new sport, pickleball.
“I think we’ll stick with the basketball court,” Mourning said with a laugh. “Don’t get me wrong, but it’s very much geared towards the older generation.”
O’Neill expressed more interest: “I’m actually looking at investing in a team. I’m still thinking about it,” he said.
O’Neill said his son recently approached him with an investment idea. Pickleball has seen explosive growth in both participants and investment money, including basketball stars. LeBron James And Kevin Durant and team owners Mark Cuban and Wes Edens.
“I got a chance to play it a couple of times, you know, so it’s a lot of fun. You get incredible practice, you know, so I love it. I really do,” Morning said.
NBA State
O’Neal and Mourning shared their thoughts on the state of the NBA.
Morning praised NBA commissioner Adam Silver for doing an “unbelievable job” and joked that he loves playing today and approves of big contacts and endorsement money.
“The pie from these TV deals is huge and the players are reaping the benefits. So yes, the game is in a good place,” Morning said.
O’Neal also had advice for today’s NBA players: Don’t forget your younger fans.
“They are [the fans] Pay a lot for what you collect. So please don’t take the money and disappear, keep playing well, keep playing well. … But think of the little kid wearing your jersey.”
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