NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal revealed that Pat Riley enforced strict body fat requirements during his time with the Miami Heat but eventually made an exception for the Hall of Fame center.
Riley, known for his demanding approach to conditioning and physical fitness, established different body fat limits depending on players’ positions.
According to O’Neal, guards faced the strictest requirements, while forwards and centers were allowed slightly higher percentages.
“Guards would have to be 3% to 5%. Power forwards 5% to 7%. Big guys have to be under 10%.”
However, O’Neal made it clear that he had no intention of meeting the standard established for big men.
The four-time NBA champion explained that he directly challenged Riley’s requirement, leading the Heat coach to establish a separate limit specifically for him.
“He gave me a special pass. I had to be under 15%. I told him, ‘I ain’t doing 10%. You can cancel that shit.’”
O’Neal joined Miami in 2004 after spending eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won three consecutive NBA championships.
