Sacramento State’s men’s basketball program just landed a heavyweight. Shaquille O’Neal, the four-time NBA champion and larger-than-life Hall of Famer, has agreed to become the team’s general manager, according to a report from a major sports news outlet on April 29, 2025. The move, which sent ripples through the college hoops world, pairs the Diesel with another Sacramento legend, Mike Bibby, who’s stepping in as head coach.
The announcement comes as the Hornets aim to rebuild a program that’s struggled to break through in the Big Sky Conference. O’Neal, known for his dominance on the court and his outsized charisma off it, brings instant star power to a campus not exactly used to the national spotlight. His role as GM will involve overseeing team operations, recruiting, and strategy, though the specifics of his day-to-day duties remain under wraps. Sacramento State officials, when pressed for details, confirmed the hire but kept mum on the finer points.
This isn’t Shaq’s first rodeo in basketball management. The 53-year-old has long been a savvy operator, with stakes in everything from franchises to media ventures. His son, Shaqir O’Neal, also committed to Sacramento State this month after transferring from Florida A&M, adding a personal stake to the big man’s new gig. The younger O’Neal, a 6-foot-8 forward, is expected to suit up for Bibby’s squad next season.
Bibby, a former Sacramento Kings star who lit up Arco Arena in the early 2000s, took the head coaching job earlier this year. His arrival, coupled with Shaq’s, signals a bold push by the university to elevate a program that hasn’t sniffed the NCAA Tournament in decades. A new on-campus basketball facility, set to open next year, only sweetens the deal.
Sacramento State’s athletic department, in a statement released on April 29, called the hires a “transformative moment” for Hornet basketball. The university, tucked in California’s capital, has long played second fiddle to bigger programs like UCLA or Gonzaga. Now, with two NBA icons in the fold, the Hornets are betting on name recognition to draw talent and fans.
O’Neal’s move to college athletics raises eyebrows, but it’s no publicity stunt. The NBA legend has been quietly involved in youth and college sports for years, mentoring players and funding programs. His leap to GM, though, marks a new chapter for a man who’s never shied away from the big stage. Whether he can turn Sacramento State into a mid-major powerhouse is anyone’s guess, but for now, the Hornets have the basketball world’s attention.
The team’s 2024-25 season tips off in November. Shaqir O’Neal is listed as a redshirt sophomore on the roster. Bibby’s staff includes two assistant coaches with Big Sky experience. The Hornets finished last season 10-24.