Shaquille O’Neal, a basketball legend and larger-than-life personality, has once again found himself at the center of internet buzz. This time, the speculation revolves around a viral photo that has sparked a frenzy on social media, with many suggesting that Shaq has a new girlfriend. But, in true Shaq style, the Hall of Famer didn’t hold back in addressing the rumors, proving once again why fans love his candid and humorous personality.

The social media stir began when Maria Ozuna Teachey, an Instagram user with over 200,000 followers, posted a selfie featuring herself and a tall, broad-shouldered man standing behind her. While the man’s head was cropped out of the frame, Teachey’s followers quickly jumped to conclusions based on his sheer size, speculating that the mystery figure could be none other than the 7’1” NBA icon, Shaquille O’Neal.

The caption that accompanied the photo added fuel to the fire: “Unapologetically us. Can y’all guess who feet? #loveyou.” Within moments, comments flooded the post, with users playfully guessing that the towering figure was indeed Shaq. The viral photo soon spread across various social media platforms, with many convinced that Shaq had a new love interest.

As the rumors swirled, it didn’t take long for Shaq to catch wind of the speculation. The viral social media account WorldStar even reposted the photo on its own Instagram, asking followers whether they believed the mystery man was Shaq. And when the internet asks, Shaq delivers.

The former LA Lakers legend was quick to shut down the gossip in a way that only he could. Commenting on the WorldStar post, Shaq simply wrote, “Nope not the kid.” His straightforward, humorous response immediately went viral, with fans loving his direct and lighthearted approach to the situation.

But Shaq didn’t stop there. He decided to take the opportunity to poke fun at the rumors even further by posting a video on his own Instagram account. The clip featured Shaq alongside five different women, and the post was captioned: “Is this my girlfriend too? Trust me, I’ll let y’all know who my woman is, and by the way, my woman’s name is Shaqirah.” Once again, Shaq proved why he remains one of the most entertaining and charismatic figures in sports.

If there’s one thing fans know about Shaq, it’s that he never misses an opportunity to entertain. In addition to his Instagram video with multiple women, Shaq took things a step further by posting another humorous clip. This time, he lip-synched to Denzel Washington’s famous line from Training Day, saying, “I will let y’all know when I’m in love.”

This playful jab at the ongoing dating rumors kept his fans engaged and laughing. Shaq’s ability to take viral moments in stride, rather than getting caught up in the gossip, highlights his laid-back nature and shows why he continues to be a beloved figure well beyond his basketball career.

Interestingly, following Shaq’s public responses, Maria Ozuna Teachey decided to delete the original Instagram post that had set off the rumor mill. However, even though the image disappeared from Instagram, it remained active on Facebook, continuing to stir speculation and conversation among fans.

Teachey herself didn’t offer much in terms of explanation, leaving followers to wonder whether the decision to remove the post had anything to do with Shaq’s comments or the frenzy that ensued. Regardless, the buzz around Shaq’s personal life remained strong, as fans continue to be fascinated by the NBA Hall of Famer’s every move.

While Shaq has been relatively quiet on the dating front in recent years, rumors about his personal life have never fully died down. After his divorce from ex-wife Shaunie Henderson in 2011, Shaq has largely kept his relationships out of the public eye. Shaunie, who is the founder and CEO of Basketball Wives through her company Amirah, Inc., shares five children with Shaq: Shareef, Amirah, Me’arah, Shaqir, and step-son Myles B. O’Neal. Shaq also has another daughter, Taahirah O’Neal, with ex-girlfriend Arnetta Yardbourgh.

Though several women have been rumored to be dating the basketball legend, Shaq has stayed tight-lipped about his love life. He occasionally references his relationships with humor and subtlety, but the NBA star has made it clear that he’ll let the world know when he’s truly in love—and until then, fans can only guess.

Shaquille O’Neal has carved out a unique post-basketball career that has kept him in the public eye for more than just his legendary NBA performances. From his days of dominating the court as a 15-time NBA All-Star to becoming a successful businessman, television personality, and entertainer, Shaq’s charisma has allowed him to remain a cultural icon.

Perhaps one of his most unforgettable moments outside of basketball was his infamous challenge to Olympian Michael Phelps. During the filming of Shaq Vs., a competitive ABC series, Shaq hilariously challenged Phelps to a swimming race. While Shaq finished his 25-yard swim in 23.14 seconds, Phelps completed his 50-yard event in 24.03 seconds, despite starting five seconds behind. Shaq may have lost, but his bold personality and competitive spirit remain unrivaled.

Shaquille O’Neal’s ability to take viral moments, like the recent dating rumors, and turn them into hilarious, light-hearted spectacles is part of what makes him such a beloved figure. The viral photo with Maria Ozuna Teachey may have sparked speculation, but Shaq handled it with his signature blend of humor and charm, reminding everyone that he’s always in control of his narrative.

Whether it’s through his playful social media posts, his larger-than-life presence, or his ability to entertain both on and off the court, Shaq continues to captivate audiences worldwide. And while the mystery of Shaq’s love life remains just that—a mystery—fans can rest assured that when the NBA legend is ready to reveal the truth, he’ll do it in typical Shaq style: with a smile, a laugh, and maybe even a few more jokes.