In the year 1992, Shaquille O’Neal stood on the brink of superstardom. Fresh off a remarkable three-year collegiate career at Louisiana State University, which saw him earn the AP Player of the Year Award and three First Team All-America honors, O’Neal was poised for greatness. Drafted as the number one overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic, he had numerous attractive offers for lucrative sneaker endorsements.

However, Shaq chose a different path, signing an endorsement deal with Reebok rather than the likes of Nike. His decision was significantly influenced by his desire to establish his own signature line. O’Neal even recollects a memorable incident where he walked into Nike's offices wearing a Reebok jacket to personally inform his competitors of his intentions.

"I didn't want to make a phone call; I wanted to go there and shake their hands with my Reebok jacket on, like a man, and let them know that the Diesel is coming," O'Neal vividly recalls.

The partnership between O’Neal and Reebok was nothing short of a success, giving birth to iconic '90s basketball models like the Shaq Attaq and the Shaqnosis. Now, Reebok has made a monumental announcement: Shaquille O’Neal will assume the role of President of Basketball for the brand. In this new capacity, the Hall of Famer's primary mission is to reinvigorate Reebok's presence in an already competitive performance basketball footwear market.

"As a president, I understand my role. I'll be laser-focused on player development and forming strategic partnerships," explains O’Neal in a conversation with Complex.

However, Shaq won't embark on this journey unaccompanied. Joining him in this new venture is none other than his fellow Hall of Famer and Reebok loyalist, Allen Iverson. Iverson takes on the role of Vice President of Basketball. Like Shaq, Iverson's primary responsibilities encompass driving player recruitment, building grassroots initiatives, community-based programs, and athlete activations. Together, these basketball legends are set to make a significant impact in the world of sportswear.

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