“How could you let him?” – Shaquille O’Neal once KIDNAPPED Kenny Smith’s son from kindergarten

Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith have forged a strong and enduring friendship that has become a cornerstone of the NBA on TNT experience.

“How could you let him?” – Shaquille O’Neal once KIDNAPPED Kenny Smith’s son from kindergarten

Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Shaquille O’Neal has always been known as a prankster since his early NBA days. The now TNT host is still keeping up his reputation by pulling a hilarious prank on his co-host Kenny Smith.

The NBA on TNT crew has earned its reputation as one of sports’ favorite crews for a reason. With their humor and captivating storytelling, they never fail to entertain us. Among the numerous crazy stories they’ve shared, one particular incident takes the cake. Shaq once pulled off a memorable prank by “kidnapping” Kenny Smith Jr., his co-host’s son, from his school without Kenny’s knowledge

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The incident actually occurred before their time working together on TNT. What makes the story even funnier is the fact that Shaq and Kenny weren’t particularly close back then. As it turns out, Shaq’s child and Kenny’s son attended the same school, providing Shaq with the perfect opportunity to play a prank. Seizing the moment while picking up his own child, Shaq decided to take Kenny’s son along for the ride.

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Kenny recounted the incident, “They were in kindergarten, his daughter and K.J.(Kenny’s son) went to the same school. I came to school to pick him up, and they (teachers) were like, ‘Oh, he’s gone with Shaq.’”’ The NBA on TNT host added, “I asked the teachers, I said, ‘How could you let him take him?’ They said, ‘Well, it’s Shaquille O’Neal.’”

Kenny said that he didn’t even have Shaq’s number at the time and had to call up school authorities for help. He then discovered that Shaq and his son went shopping at a mall and then got a haircut. Kenny also said, “His actual name is Kenny Smith Jr. … he (Shaq) doesn’t even know his name.”

Related: “This man is just unapologetic” Kenny Smith narrates how Charles Barkley made NBA bow against his terms

Charles Barkley clowned Shaquille O’Neal following the incident

Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley
Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley (Getty Images)

Following up on Kenny Smith’s story, the Phoenix Suns legend Charles Barkley was quick to take a light jab at Shaq and his children. Barkley hilariously said that Shaq might have mistaken Kenny Smith Jr. to be one of his children, “In fairness Kenny, he may have got him(Kenny’s son) confused with one of his 17 children.”

Barley did not stop there. Adding to the joke, he said, “Give him 15 seconds to name all of his kids. I guarantee he can’t get them all out of there.” The whole crew continued to clown Shaq, with the LA Lakers legend also chiming on the joke himself. “It’s not 17; it’s 18,”  he added.

To clarify, Shaq only has seven kids, who are all grown up now. He has done an excellent job raising his kids, with one of his sons, Shareef O’Neal actually playing in the NBA G League.

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