Many fans regard Shaquille O’Neal as the most excellent Tiger ever to grace the hardwood in LSU basketball. Shaq’s opinion is not the same as everyone else’s. Instead, the Hall of Famer and global basketball icon has bestowed the title of most extraordinary LSU men’s basketball player to Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, a dynamic guard who played at LSU from 1988 to 1990. The Denver Nuggets selected Abdul-Rauf as the third overall pick in the 1990 NBA Draft due to his impressive scoring ability and silky shooting.
“I would have to go with Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf. He would be number one,” O’Neal revealed to Crissy Froyd of RG.
Despite his legendary status, Shaq humbly places himself in contention for the second spot alongside former Tiger great Ricky Blanton.
“Two is either myself or Ricky Blanton. I’m just fortunate enough to have my name mentioned in it,” O’Neal shared. “Baton Rouge, that was a place where I developed the character known as Shaq.”
Shaq also expressed his admiration for Abdul-Rauf’s sport and legacy.
“To be able to walk into the Tiger Dome and see my jersey retired is great. But Abdul-Rauf was always someone I watched closely who was great. Greater than me. That title definitely goes to Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf.”
Abdul-Rauf’s Legacy at LSU and Beyond
During his time at LSU, Abdul-Rauf—then known as Chris Jackson—was a consensus All-American in both seasons. His scoring prowess was undeniable, averaging over 30 points per game in his freshman year, an NCAA record for a first-year player.
Abdul-Rauf’s professional career took him through the NBA and international leagues, but his skill remained a lasting legacy, even as he became an experienced player later on. The Kyoto Hannaryz in Japan was his final professional stop before retiring in 2011.
The endorsement of Shaq confirms Abdul-Rauf’s place in LSU’s basketball history, a legacy that continues to inspire Tiger fans and basketball enthusiasts around the world.
