Shaquille O'Neal surprises kids by joining pickup basketball game in Florida

The former NBA star signed up as a reserve police officer 12 months ago

Err, doesn’t that guy look rather familiar? “Holy c**p, it’s you.”

Basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal turned a lot of heads at the weekend - and delivered some insights on he became a success - when he responded to a police officer’s inspiring video and took part in a pickup game with a group of Florida youngsters.

The former NBA star was moved to act after seeing a video that went viral, featuring Gainesville police officer Bobby White. The officer had been asked to respond to a complaint about a group of children who were accused of playing too loudly.

Shaquille O'Neal joined the pickup game over the weekend in Florida (Gainesville Police Dept)

The dashcam on the officer’s car captured him expressing incredulity that someone was complaining about children simply playing outside.

“Can you believe someone is calling to complain about kids playing basketball in the street,” the officer can be heard to say in the video, that has been viewed more than 15m times.

“I obviously don't have a problem with it.”

Among those who apparently watched the video was O'Neal - who in January 2015 was sworn in as a reserve police officer in south Florida - who went to the police station on Saturday to surprise Officer White and offer to back him up in a match with the children.

As they arrived at the neighbourhood where the boys had been playing, Officer White then surprised them by saying: “I told you I was going to bring in some backup, right?”

Youngsters were stunned to see the former NBA star (Gainesville Police Dept)

The 7ft 1ins former Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers centre then stepped out of a vehicle to the amazement of the children.

Police officers then took on the children in a pickup game, before O’Neal gave the kids a chance to win $100 each if they could make a free throw.

“I'll tell you a secret that will change your life,” he said, according to ABC.

“You know how much money I made? $700m. You know how I made that? Respecting my peers, listening to my mama and daddy and focusing on school.”

He then got the children to stand in a group. ”I will become whatever I want to be,“ they said together.

“I will be a leader and not a follower. I will respect my peers and my elders and especially my parents.”

O’Neal replied: “All right, love you guys.”