NBA Legend Shaquille O'Neal to Help Texas Police Recruit Pass Exam after Falling Short by a Point
What to know
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Texas police recruit Jordan Wilmore failed the state licensing exam by one point after completing the academy.
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NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal agreed to cover Wilmore’s expenses while he prepares to retake the exam.
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Wilmore, who is 7-foot-3, said the support will allow him to remain focused on entering law enforcement.
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal is helping a 24-year-old Texas police recruit after the aspiring officer narrowly failed his state licensing exam, offering financial assistance so he can focus on retesting and completing the certification process.
Jordan Wilmore, who stands 7-foot-3, recently completed a police academy program and is pursuing a law enforcement position in Kemah, CBS News reports. Wilmore missed passing the state exam by a point, delaying his entry into the profession.
"First I was down, but then I'm like, you know, I'm still young," he said. "You fail, you got to get right back up. You can't be so quick just to quit. I'm really thankful for (O'Neal) helping me out, being there and being a mentor for helping me do this."
O’Neal, a longtime supporter of law enforcement who has held honorary or reserve roles with multiple agencies, said he learned about Wilmore’s efforts to become a police officer and wanted to help him continue toward that goal. O’Neal agreed to cover Wilmore’s living expenses for several months while he prepares to retake the exam.
Wilmore told CBS News he has wanted to become a police officer since childhood but was repeatedly steered toward basketball because of his height. A Tennessee native, Wilmore played college basketball at the University of Missouri, Northwestern State University and Austin Peay State University before competing professionally overseas, most recently in the Philippines.
Wilmore said O’Neal’s support has allowed him to refocus on studying and preparing for the next testing opportunity without financial pressure. O’Neal described his involvement as mentorship and accountability, emphasizing the importance of perseverance for those seeking to enter the profession.
"I wanted to just let him know, he has my full support. I'm going to be on you, brother, make sure you're getting it done," Shaq said.
Wilmore plans to retake the state exam and continue pursuing a law enforcement career.