NBA STAR Shaquille o’neal visits Students

at Clay Academy  in Dallas, Texas 

DALLAS, April 7, 2009 — Most everyone knows that NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal has skills on the court, but the Phoenix Suns center also has skills in the classroom.

During a visit Monday at Clay Academy in Dallas, Texas, O’Neal encouraged students to continue taking their academics seriously.

“Education is very important,” O’Neal told upper elementary and middle school students at the private, Christian school affiliated with The Potter’s House, the 30,000-member church led by Bishop T. D. Jakes.

Bishop Jakes, who also briefly met with O’Neal to discuss a possible business venture, was pleased that he visited with the students.

“Shaquille O’Neal embodies dedication on and off the court, and I am honored that he set aside time to embrace our students,” said Bishop T. D. Jakes. “As Clay Academy continues its commitment toward excellence, it’s imperative that we reinforce education and success. Connecting our students with a prolific athlete and leader such as Shaquille O’Neal moves us closer to our mission.”

After O’Neal took a tour of the 70,000-square-foot, state-of-the art facility, he posed for photos with students who were mesmerized by his 7-foot-1, 325-pound frame.

“I’m tall, but he’s very tall,” said 14-year-old Clay Academy eighth-grader Joshua Reed, who stands 5 feet 10 inches. “I rarely look up at people, but I had to look up at him,” he laughed.

About Clay Academy
Clay Academy is located in the prestigious Capella Park community, a rapidly growing business and professional development in Dallas,Texas. The Pre-K3–eighth grade Christian private school features a broad based program of study with A Beka curriculum at its core.  Instruction allows use of advanced technology  in most classrooms.  Clay Academy strives to inspire students of purpose from around the world to become tomorrow’s leaders in a challenging and spiritual environment.