Dale Brown, the mentor behind Shaq's rise, dies at 90

Dale Brown, the former Louisiana State University basketball coach who identified a young Shaquille O'Neal in West Germany, died Friday at the age of 90.

The connection between the two began in 1984 at a military base in West Germany, where Brown was conducting a basketball clinic. O'Neal, then 13 years old and already standing 6 feet, 9 inches, approached Brown for advice on his game. Brown initially mistook the teenager for a soldier, asking how long he had served in the Army. Upon learning the player's age, Brown recognized the potential and began mailing letters and basketball exercises to the young athlete. This correspondence continued as O'Neal developed into a top high school prospect, eventually leading to his recruitment to LSU, where he played from 1989 to 1992.

During his time at LSU, O'Neal earned two consensus All-American honors and twice won the SEC Player of the Year award. He was selected as the first overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft. The relationship extended beyond the college years; O'Neal returned to Baton Rouge in 2000 to complete his degree, a promise made to his family and Brown upon leaving school early. In a 1999 letter regarding Brown's induction into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, O'Neal described Brown as the only college coach he ever wanted.

The pair's bond was documented in the 2015 ESPN documentary Shaq & Dale, which traced their history from Germany through O'Neal's professional success. In a 2015 interview with Esquire, O'Neal characterized Brown as a father figure and motivator. According to LSU, the two maintained regular contact through letters and emails for decades. Brown was present to celebrate O'Neal's first NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000.

Two days before Brown's death, on Oct. 21, LSU announced that he had been selected as the 2027 recipient of the John R. Wooden Legends of Coaching Award. O'Neal recorded a video message congratulating Brown on the selection. The award ceremony is scheduled for April 2027.