"Shaq's my uncle" - Quincy Olivari recalls Shaquille O'Neal giving him 'uncle' pass in childhood

LA Lakers’ two-way player Quincy Olivari looked back when he got on a phone call with Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal. Olivari, who has become a crowd favorite in Lakers games, recalled a childhood moment when his mother, a professional cake maker, told him to call O’Neal “Uncle Shaq.”

Olivari said that he was still in middle school when the moment happened as his mother delivered a cake to the "Inside the NBA" crew, including Shaq. The four-time NBA champion, who celebrated his birthday when Quincy’s mother delivered cakes, was also game enough to follow the request, creating an unforgettable moment for the young Olivari.

“My mom used to do cakes for entertainers in Atlanta…She used to do the cakes for the Inside the NBA crew and it was Shaq’s birthday. I remember I was at home doing math homework with my dad, and my mom called the house, and my dad picked it up. He told me there was somebody who want to talk to me,” the 23-year-old Olivari recalled.

“I had no clue who it was…All I heard was Shaq’s voice on the phone. You know, it’s very distinct voice, very deep voice. And he was like ‘what’s up little man’, and I was like ‘what’s up Mr. O’Neal,” he said. “He was like, ‘you don’t have to worry calling me mister. I’m uncle Shaq now…’ I was like Shaq’s my uncle.”

In the following days, Olivari told his schoolmates what had happened, bragging about Shaquille O’Neal giving him the uncle pass.

Quincy Olivari then reflected on Shaq's generosity and character as his gesture made a fun moment for the young Quincy.

The point guard has been going back and forth between the Lakers’s regular-season roster and the G-League with the South Bay Lakers. In the G-League, Olivari is averaging 18.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game as one of the top players in South Bay.

He scored his first NBA points via a three-point basket against the Portland Trail Blazers on Dec. 8.

Quincy Olivari vows to give fans special moments just like Shaq did to him

Los Angeles Lakers guard Quincy Olivari (41) dribbles past a Golden State Warriors player. (Credits: IMAGN)

Shaquille O’Neal’s little phone call was ingrained in the memory of Quincy Olivari growing up. Now that he is an NBA player, Olivari vowed to give fans special moments just like he had with Shaq whenever he could.

“Shaq was always just about kids and about the fans, and always just them feel special in every interaction they come across,” he said.

“It’s definitely something I try to take with me,” Olivari added.

Olivari grew up idolizing Steph Curry and has since cited the Golden State Warriors guard as his inspiration, following their interaction when Quincy was still a kid.

Lakers fans still have to wait for Olivari to return to the court for NBA action after his spectacular eight-minute cameo in front of the home crowd against Portland.