Candace Parker has officially retired, not just from professional basketball but also from flying on Shaquille O’Neal’s private jet. The WNBA icon and current Adidas Women’s Basketball president recently shared the hilarious story on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” with guest host Anthony Anderson.
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While discussing her friendship with O’Neal, whom she works alongside on TNT’s “Inside the NBA,” Parker recalled a memorable flight that convinced her one ride was enough. After filming in North Carolina, Shaq invited her to fly with him back to Los Angeles. The idea seemed perfect at first.
“I thought, cool, no waiting at the airport,” Parker joked. But her excitement faded quickly once they took off.
Why Candace Parker swore off flying with Shaq again
According to Parker, Shaq turned the jet into a party venue midair. “He DJ’ed on full blast for four hours and 38 minutes,” she said, laughing as she described the non-stop EDM soundtrack. Just when she thought the chaos would settle, things took another turn. Shaq fell asleep with just 35 minutes left in the flight, and started snoring louder than the music.
“I knew right then it was the first and last time I’d fly on his plane,” Parker said.
Anderson backed up her story by confirming that O’Neal is indeed a DJ and often spins EDM tracks during his sets. That same passion apparently spills over into their work at TNT as well. Parker said Shaq regularly plays music in the control room during games.
“He’s basically a personal DJ, but you’ve gotta love him,” she added.
Despite the chaos of the flight, Parker emphasized that her bond with O’Neal remains strong. She expressed genuine admiration and appreciation for her friend, saying, “I love him a lot.”
The feeling is clearly mutual. When Parker retired from the WNBA, O’Neal praised her on-air, telling her he was proud of her and inspired by her transition into business. The two champions share more than just TV screen time—they’ve built a lasting friendship rooted in mutual respect.
Parker, a two-time MVP and three-time WNBA champion, now splits her time between broadcasting and business leadership. As for Shaq, he’s still mixing beats, making headlines, and keeping his jet passengers on their toes. Just don’t expect Parker to be one of them.
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