Shaq – saved from a would-be drowning in Hawaiian pool! No, just kidding… but a group of kids got to play lifeguard with the big man in a super-fun session recently.
It’s summer, so that means a couple of things: The NBA season is over (not counting summer league games in Las Vegas), and so the regular crews that cover the game are on a much-needed vaca. And number two – and specifically for Shaq – he’s out traveling the world, playing various clubs and music festivals as his alter ego, DJ Diesel.
This week (as of this writing), Shaq was in Honolulu, playing a couple of DJ gigs at a club called The Republik. Of course that action is at night, in the club. During the day, Shaq does what any tourist on the island might do – soak up some sun and hang out by the resort pool.
And that’s just where a bunch of kids found the big man, right there in the pool with them. We’re only guessing the sight it must have been – seeing the big guy jumping into the pool. Probably made quite a splash!
As usual, Shaq clowned around with the kids for a while, and eventually he keeled over and started splashing around as if he were in trouble in the water. That led to a great experience for a group of little kids, doing their best “Baywatch” imitation, “saving” the big fella from a watery grave! Of course O’Neal was pretending, but it led to some Shaq-sized fun, and a great memory for the kids.
Thankfully, someone was on hand with a smartphone to capture the moment on video. Check out the videos below. Our thanks to TMZ Sports for sharing.
Already, the reactions are coming in on social media, with one fan summing it all up pretty well with this quote: “There is no better celebrity when it comes to interaction with everyday civilians better than Shaq. He genuinely loves his fans and people. He treats everyone the same no matter where he is or what he doing!”
BTW, the same guy that captured the pool scene followed Shaq to his late-night performance at The Republik club. Check out the video for the big man doing his DJ Diesel thing.
Click here to see the full video
Keep an eye out! You never know where Shaq will show up again this summer.
