Listen Live
Hot 100.9 Featured Video
CLOSE

Shaquille O'Neal

Shaquille O’Neal is known for being a dominant force in the NBA and his color commentary on NBA on TNT.

But now “Shaq Diesel” is taking his talent overseas, as he took a trip to Cuba to spread his love of basketball.

Now a diplomat, Shaq went to Havana to help run a basketball clinic for Cuban youth. The trip is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, and aids to improve America’s people-to-people relations with Cuban citizens.

Kids who came through to the camp got to do lay-up drills, and the 7-foot-1 giant even coached a few scrimmages.

“Baseball, soccer, basketball — it’s about sports, you know. We share a lot of things in common. We just want to come over here and extend our friendly hand and just start smoothing things out. It was great for (Obama) to reopen the door, regain a better relationship with this beautiful island,” Shaq said according to the NBA.

America’s efforts to improve its relationship with Cuba through sports began last year, when Steve Nash and Dikembe Mutombo held their own four-day camp.

Shaq is scheduled to tour Cuba until Tuesday, June 28.

SOURCE: NBA | IMAGE CREDIT: Getty, Twitter

SEE MORE:

Shaquille O’Neal Is A “Maniac” On Lip Sync Battle

You Can Now Have Shaq Give You Directions On Waze To Avoid Shaq-cidents

Shaq Travels To Cuba As America’s Sports Diplomat  was originally published on theurbandaily.com