NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal has found himself in the spotlight once again, but this time it’s for off-court drama.
A photo recently went viral, suggesting that O’Neal may be romantically involved with influencer Maria Ozuna Teachey.
The image, posted by Teachey on Instagram, showed a tall man with his arms around her.
Though the man’s face was not visible, many believed his physique resembled the 7-foot-1 O’Neal, igniting rumors of a relationship between the two.
Shaq, however, was quick to address the speculation. When the photo was reposted by World Star on Instagram, O’Neal responded, “nope, not the kid,” firmly denying the rumors.
To further dismiss the claims, Shaq posted a playful video of himself singing along to Shaggy’s hit song It Wasn’t Me alongside Peter Gunz.
He even posed similarly with another woman in a humorous jab at the situation, while assuring fans that if he were truly in love, he would let everyone know.
Despite Shaq‘s denials, Teachey fired back by sharing additional proof.
She posted a video allegedly showing them together at Harrah’s Casino in Atlantic City, which included a personalized welcome note naming Shaquille O’Neal and footage of him passed out on a couch.
This added fuel to the already buzzing rumors.
Social Media Reacts
Social media users were quick to react to the situation. Some sided with O’Neal, suggesting that Teachey was simply seeking attention.
One user commented, “They do anything for clout,” while another remarked, “She just ruined her chance. Why post now? You got nothing out of it.”
On the other side, some users were skeptical of Shaq‘s denial. “God damn. She recorded every moment in anticipation of this,” one user theorized, while another added, “Shaq, we recognized you in 4K, unc.”
Since his 2011 divorce from Shaunie Henderson, O’Neal has largely kept his personal life out of the public eye.
According to reports, he has been linked to several women over the years, including Annie Ilonzeh, Nicole Alexander, and Laticia Rolle.
Despite the drama surrounding the photo, Shaq’s playful response indicates he isn’t taking the rumors too seriously.
As the internet remains divided, Shaquille O’Neal continues to be a source of fascination both on and off the court.
