Sorry, social media, that’s not Shaquille O’Neal.
The 7-foot-1 NBA icon dismissed wild speculation about his personal life after influencer Maria Ozuna Teachey posted a photo on Instagram that featured a tall, unidentified suitor draping rather large hands over her shoulders.
Internet detectives being internet detectives then theorized whether O’Neal, 52, was the individual in the photograph, leading the four-time NBA champion to shut down the buzz himself.
“Nope not the kid,” O’Neal commented on a post on WorldStar’s Instagram page, according to TMZ.
O’Neal, who was married to Shaunie O’Neal from 2002-11, continued the chatter Tuesday by posting an Instagram reel that showcased him embracing others in a similar pose as the original influencer pic.
Maria Ozuna Teachey/Facebook
“Is this my girlfriend too, trust me I’ll let yall know who my woman is,and by the way my woman name is Shaqirah,” he wrote.
Shaq captioned a follow-up post, “I will let yall know when I’m in love.”
It seems the drama isn’t over, however, as The Shade Room posted a screenshot of a curious message Tuesday that was allegedly shared by Teachy.
“Come on Kid . A time was Had,” the caption read. “Why he lie to yall man.”
This isn’t the first time O’Neal and a social media influencer have shared headlines.
The NBA Hall of Famer’s exchange with internet sensation Ariana Josephine, a.k.a. “Home Depot Girl,” stirred buzz last June, around the same time a Beverly Hills dinner outing with Brittany Renner went viral.