Former NBA Star Shaquille O’Neal Named ‘Sports Envoy’ To Cuba

President Barack Obama (L) shares a laugh with former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal during the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House on March 28, 2015 in Washington, DC. O'Neal will travel to Cuba from June 25-28 to lead a series of basketball clinics for young people while acting as the first ever "sports envoy" appointed by the U.S. State Department. He will also visit a number of historical landmarks to promote positive relations between the U.S. and Cuba. Photo by Olivier Douliery/UPI | License Photo

WASHINGTON, June 25 (UPI) — The U.S. Department of State announced Shaquille O’Neal will travel to Cuba as the first ever “sports envoy.”

O’Neal, a hall of fame basketball player turned broadcaster, will lead a series of basketball clinics for young people on the island from June 25 to June 28.

“This people-to-people program taps into the unique strength of sports—including basketball—to reach out to young people and promote cooperation and engagement in Cuba,” the State Department said. “O’Neal will draw on his personal basketball and business background to highlight the importance of social inclusion and respect for diversity.”

Dallas Mavericks Assistant Coach Kaleb Canales will join O’Neal on the trip and assist in hosting the clinics.

O’Neal will also visit historically significant cultural sites in the capital city of Havana to encourage positive ties between the U.S. and Cuba.

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