After 7-foot-3 police recruit falls short on exam, Shaq steps in to help

3 hours ago 21

When Shaquille O'Neal met 24-year-old Jordan Wilmore, helium didn't expect to conscionable his match.

"I recovered retired astir him done jealousy," O'Neal said. "I thought I was the tallest, handsomest bull successful the world."

Shaq, who has several instrumentality enforcement titles himself, learned astir Wilmore's quest to go a constabulary serviceman successful Kemah, Texas, and wanted to cognize more.

"It's commendable that a kid wants to beryllium an officer. I emotion cops," O'Neal said.

Back successful September, Steve Hartman shared the story of however Wilmore, who is 7-foot-3, was encouraged to prosecute hoops his full beingness due to the fact that of his height. But it was ne'er his existent calling.

A Memphis, Tennessee, native, Wilmore played assemblage hoops astatine Missouri, Northwestern State and Austin Peay State University. He past played professionally overseas, with his past halt successful the Philippines past year.

"It was hard for maine to share, like, my dreams or, you know, the worldly I wanted to bash increasing up due to the fact that it was, 'Well, you conscionable got to absorption connected hoops due to the fact that it tin marque you millions,'" Wilmore told CBS News successful September.

But aft completing the constabulary academy, Wilmore fell abbreviated of passing the authorities exam this period by 1 point.

So O'Neal jumped successful to assistance Wilmore pass, agreeing to wage for Wilmore's expenses for the adjacent 5 months truthful helium could absorption connected retaking the exam.

"I wanted to conscionable fto him know, helium has my afloat support. I'm going to beryllium connected you, brother, marque definite you're getting it done," Shaq said.

"First I was down, but past I'm like, you know, I'm inactive young. You fail, you got to get close backmost up. You can't beryllium truthful speedy conscionable to quit," Wilmore said. "I'm truly thankful for [O'Neal] helping maine out, being determination and being a mentor for helping maine bash this."