In October 2023, Shaq was announced as the President of Basketball for Reebok. In his role, he will shape the future of Reebok and its basketball division. The superstar will help recruit young talent and bring them to the brand he helped to put on the basketball map in 1992.
Shaq as a player had a long and mostly successful run with Reebok as an endorser. Below is a guide to the Shaq & Reebok series of sneakers.
Shaq Attaq
The Attaq was originally released in 1992. It was not only Shaq’s first signature shoe, but it was also the first time Reebok created a signature shoe for an athlete. The Attaq features a leather and suede upper. They have Pump technology on the tongue, and Graphlite. The Attaq debuted Shaq’s logo, The Dunkman. The logo’s two handed jam silhouette is unmistakably O’Neal. The Attaq was backed by a huge marketing campaign, and O’Neal was seen everywhere in the sneakers.
Shaq Attaq II
The first Attaq shoe is a classic! The II had a big job, it had to top the Shaq Attaq. The II did not even come close to the impact of the I. In some ways, it seems like Reebok was not even trying. The original Shaq Attaq was a striking model. It caught your attention. It was big and bold and did not really look like any other shoe on the market. The Shaq Attaq II was underwhelming. Possibly by design. The Shaq Attaq II was only available in two colors, both matched the colors of O’Neal's team, the Orlando Magic.
Shaq Attaq 4
Shaquille O’Neal wore the Reebok Attaq 4 during the 1994-1995 NBA season. The Orlando Magic would make the NBA Finals this season. The 4 came with a manual hand pump that paired with the shoes Insta Pump technology. The shoe used a high top silhouette. There was ‘SHAQ’ branding throughout the base. The Hexalite in the heel made sure the shoe was cushioned and comfortable. The Attaq 4 never really clicked with fans. Much like the Attaq 2 & 3, it is a forgotten model.
Shaqnosis
The Reebok Shaqnosis was originally released in 1995. It was a major departure from the rest of the line. A line that was becoming a bit tired by the time the Shaq Attaq 4 launched. The hypnotic black and white upper, made with split grain leather and synthetic nubuck. It is a very bold, very 90s design. The risk taking paid off for Reebok, the Shaqnosis is still a classic today. Hexalite is used at the heel and forefront. The thick outsole is built for Shaq and his hardcore play on the court.
Preacher
The Reebok Preacher featured more Hexalite than any other shoe at the time. The shoe was extremely chunky, which was a thing in the 1990s. Shaq’s line also produced a lot of other big chunky shoes. It is the kind of construction Shaq needed with his size, weight, and the amount of stress he put on his body with his style of play. The Preacher featured a synthetic upper, a Hexalite midsole and an EVA midsole wrap. He wore the shoe during the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
Dunkmob
The Reebok and Shaq relationship was coming close to the end when the Reebok Dunkmob was released. Shaquille O’Neal was possibly at his best wearing the Dunkmob, he was now playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. Shaq wore the Dunkmob during the 1996-1997 NBA season. The shoe featured Viz Hex technology. The Dunkmob did not really connect with the sneaker world. It was another bland Shaq shoe that did not do anything to separate itself from the rest, like the OG Attaq did.
Reflection
The Reebok Reflection launched during the 1997-1998 season. Shaq wore a PE version on the court with a pump unit in the heel. The shoe had 3M Scotchlite reflective details, a synthetic upper and suspended lightweight Hexalite cushioning. There is strong ankle support and a CMEVA midsole. The Reflection was the final shoe Shaq would wear as part of his partnership with Reebok. The shoe tried to appeal to a larger demographic by making it less of a ‘Big Man’ shoe. Sadly, it did not garner the success Reebok wanted.
Steel
Steel is a forgotten, thankfully, superhero film starring Shaquille O’Neal. The film was a critical and financial flop. However, Reebok decided to make Shaq’s final shoe based on the project. The Reebok Steel released in 1997. The launch was tied to the release of the film, Steel. The shoe contained Hexalite and it can be spotted on the heel. The collar and tongue use a gel like material. The center never wore these shoes for the Los Angeles Lakers. It would be the final shoe released in the Shaq and Reebok partnership.
- Adam C. Better
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