7-foot Rookie Shaquille O’Neal Savagely Broke the Backboard in a One-on-one Against Ahmad Rashad

Shaquille O’Neal was a freak of nature on the basketball court. Even as a rookie, he was smashing boards and destroying them!

In 1992, the NBA met one of the most dominant players in basketball history. Shaquille O’Neal was an absolute beast coming out of LSU.

Drafted with the first overall pick by the Orlando Magic, Shaq was unstoppable. He averaged an insane 23 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks per game en route to winning Rookie of the Year.

Diesel was the stuff of nightmares in the paint. He even gave some of the best big men in the league a chance like Hakeem Olajuwon, Duncan Robinson and Patrick Ewing.

Also read: 340-pound Shaquille O’Neal finishes a 60m sprint against an Olympic track and field sensation

Shaq didn’t just dominate on the NBA floor, though. He even took out boards in his spare time against big name reporters.

Shaquille O’Neal smashed a board going head-to-head with Ahmad Rashad

Everyone knows that Shaq is a force to be reckoned with. However, as a rookie, there were still some detractors.

One of those detractors was none other than Ahmad Rashad. Rashad decided to take matters into her own hands and took on the big guy one on one.

Unfortunately, it was too late for Rashad to back down as he witnessed just how powerful a young Shaq was. Rashad got the first basket, but on the next play all O’Neal had to do was break the backboard and end the game!

(1992) Rookie Shaq plays heads up with Ahmad Rashad and breaks the board.

Crazy. 🎞

pic.twitter.com/U4eGLSwztg

— Timeless Sports (@timelesssports_) May 11, 2022

It’s safe to say that was the last time anyone challenged O’Neal to a one-on-one match. So they don’t incur Shaq’s wrath.

Also read: “Only Shaquille O’Neal and Jesus Christ can score me!”: Rachel Nichols snapped LeBron James’ bold claim in 2017