How Shaquille O'Neal Is Helping a Former College Basketball Player Become the Tallest Police Officer in Texas

NEED TO KNOW

• Shaq has a former college basketball player's back
• The Inside the NBA star is sponsoring an aspiring police officer in Texas
• At 7-foot, 3 inches, Jordan Wilmore hopes to become the tallest police officer in the state

Shaquille O’Neal is throwing his support behind a former basketball player who is shooting to become a police officer.

Jordan Wilmore, 24, of Kemah, Texas, has long harbored a dream to hold the badge, according to CBS affiliate KHOU-TV in Houston.

At 7-foot, 3 inches, the former college athlete is also hoping to become the tallest police officer in the state of Texas.

But after narrowly failing his peace officer exam recently, Wilmore’s dream looked in doubt.

That’s when Shaq stepped in, and made an offer to Kemah police chief Raymond Garivey to sponsor Wilmore in his quest.

"I found out about him through jealousy," O'Neal, 53, joked. "I thought I was the tallest, handsomest cop in the world."

More seriously, he added: “I want him to really focus on this because it’s commendable that a kid wants to be an officer. I love cops. They made me who I am.”

The basketball Hall of Famer, who once flirted with running for sheriff in Florida or Georgia, has held several law enforcement titles.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Shaq has served as a reserve officer in the Doral Police Department in Florida, as well as in Miami Beach, Tempe, Ariz., and the Port of Los Angeles. In December 2016, he became a sworn deputy in Clayton County, and in 2021, became director of community relations for the Henry County Sheriff's Office in Georgia.

However, Shaq said he saw a bit of himself in Wilmore.

“It actually took me five to seven years to graduate from the LA Sheriff’s Academy,” the former Los Angeles Lakers star said. “I wanted to just let him know he’s got my full support. I’m going to be on you, brother, make sure you get it done.”

To that end, Shaq is throwing in a new car as an incentive for Wilmore to focus on attaining his goal.

“I’m really thankful for him helping me out and being there, and being a mentor for helping me through this,” Wilmore said.

So far, Garivey has been impressed with Wilmore’s determination.

“In my 34-year career, I’ve seen others fail, but I also see others give up,” he said. “Once they’re done, they’re done. That’s not the case here. He wants to serve.”

Read the original article on People