Dawn Furnas//June 13, 2022//
Shaq is back — back in his hometown, that is.
The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation and Icy Hot are unveiling their second Comebaq Court in O’Neal’s hometown of Newark June 13.
The effort – launched in Las Vegas in 2021 – refurbishes existing public basketball courts “that could use some TLC,” the Foundation explained in a statement.
“Giving back through this Comebaq Court in my hometown is really special,” the former professional basketball star said in the statement. “This effort will have a lasting impact on a community near and dear to my heart.”
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka added, “Shaquille O’Neal is a Newark native who has brought this city glory and fame on the NBA court and given back to us through community commitment and investment. The new ‘Comebaq Court’ is another example of these works, that will greatly benefit our youth. It will rapidly become part of our state-of-the-art recreation programs that keep our youth engaged and healthy.”
The unveiling will take place at 11:30 a.m. June 13 at the court, located at 400 Hawthorne Ave., and will feature O’Neal and Baraka, as well as additional representatives from the City of Newark, Icy Hot and the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation. According to Ellie Lange, a representative for Icy Hot, improvements to the court include freshly designed blacktop, new baskets and scoreboards.
The Foundation’s Comebaq Courts aim to help communities that may not have the resources to devote to rebuilding these public courts.
“We’re overjoyed to continue our partnership with Shaq’s foundation and to continue revitalizing spaces to play and help young athletes in the Newark community get game ready,” said Helene Pamon, head of Pain and Sleep, US Consumer Health at Sanofi, the maker of Icy Hot, which has its U.S. headquarters in Bridgewater.
“We’re passionate about helping these athletes rise from pain and are delighted to open a Comebaq Court in Newark,” Pamon added.
In the early hours of June 13, O’Neal posted photos of himself on Instagram near a basketball court and in front of a home, adding, “chilltown JC guess who’s back #OAKST BOYZ no 14 school love y’all.”
According to Dixon Leasing’s “The Famous Faces of Jersey City,” O’Neil lived in Jersey City, a.k.a. Chilltown, between the ages of 6 and 13 and attended Ollie Culbreth Jr. School, PS No. 14, across the street from his home at 101 Oak St.
O’Neal was also in New York City this weekend performing at The Governor’s Ball as DJ Diesel (you read that correctly: He is touring the U.S. as a DJ, yet another passion of the NBA hall of famer).
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 9 a.m. ET June 14 to add photos of the unveiling.