LSU Basketball: Dale Brown, who recruited Shaquille O'Neal, dies at 90

Dale Brown, the former LSU basketball coach who identified a teenage Shaquille O'Neal in West Germany, died on Friday, Oct. 23. He was 90 years old. The death occurred two days after the university announced Brown would receive the John R. Wooden Legends of Coaching Award in April 2027.

Brown’s connection to O'Neal began in 1984 at a military base in West Germany. Brown was conducting a basketball clinic when the 13-year-old O'Neal, who stood 6 feet 9 inches tall, approached him for advice. Brown initially mistook the teenager for a soldier and asked how long he had served in the Army. Upon learning O'Neal's age, Brown recognized his potential.

The two maintained a long-distance relationship through mail and basketball exercises. O'Neal recalled in a 2015 Esquire interview that he lacked confidence in his abilities at the time. Brown eventually recruited O'Neal to play for LSU, where he competed from 1989 to 1992. During his time in Baton Rouge, O'Neal earned two consensus All-American honors and two SEC Player of the Year awards. He became the No. 1 overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft.

O'Neal's bond with Brown extended beyond the court. In a 1999 letter published by LSU Athletics, O'Neal described Brown as the only college coach he ever had and the only one he ever wanted. Brown was present when O'Neal won his first NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000. That same year, O'Neal returned to LSU to complete his degree, fulfilling a promise he made to his family and Brown before leaving for the NBA in 1992.

In 2015, ESPN released a documentary titled 'Shaq & Dale,' directed by Hannah Storm and narrated by Tim McGraw. The film traced their history from their meeting in Germany through O'Neal's professional career. LSU officials stated the two men stayed in regular contact via letters and emails for decades.

On Oct. 21, LSU confirmed Brown as the 2027 recipient of the Wooden award. O'Neal recorded a video message congratulating his former coach and reflecting on the impact Brown had on his life. Brown was scheduled to accept the honor in April of next year.