Photo by David Carr, Independent Florida Alligator

Charming the crowd with jokes and pranks, National Basketball Association icon Shaquille O’Neal spoke in front of about 3,200 people at U. Florida on Tuesday evening.

O’Neal has played for teams like the Orlando Magic and the Miami Heat, and his TV appearances and endorsements have made him a household name.

“When it comes to thinking about ‘making it,'” O’Neal said, “I haven’t made it yet. And that’s what keeps me going.”

Accent Speakers Bureau paid O’Neal $70,000 to speak.

Taking the stage shortly after 8 p.m., O’Neal sat in one of two low-slung mocha lounge chairs on stage while moderator Laura McKeeman asked him about life on the road, his relationship with Kobe Bryant and his upcoming career move to TNT commentator.

But the “Shaq Attack” is also hard at work off the court.

From his past work as an undercover cop investigating Internet crimes involving children to his recent efforts to finish his Ph.D. at Barry University, O’Neal is, as Accent Chairman Corey Portnoy put it in his introduction, a “Shaq of all trades.”

“Shaq was truly an entertainer,” Portnoy said. “But, more importantly, [he] is a good teacher and a phenomenal leader to hear from about all of his accomplishments both in the professional world and the athletic world.”

Jemima Douyon, a 21-year-old French senior, attended the event with a friend.

“He was a little inappropriate at times, but it was fun,” Douyon said. “I learned a lot about him, especially his doctoral degree, which surprised me.”

Finishing his appearance by spanking Portnoy and hosting an impromptu dance contest on stage, O’Neal stayed the center of attention with his towering height and nonstop stream of jokes, jibes and mock-orders for security officers to “Tase that person.”

“When it comes to being a professional athlete, I just want to give people a good time,” O’Neal said. “I love to laugh, so in anything I do, I want to see them have a good time.”