Yankees get a big assist from Shaq

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Shaquille O’Neal, pictured left, may not hoop it up in Los Angeles anymore, but the former Laker, who now plays for the Miami Heat, is still a presence at Hamilton.

O’Neal’s Dunkman sports apparel company has donated an estimated $10,000 worth of shoes, dufflebags and water bottles to the school’s boys’ basketball team for the 2007-08 season. Hamilton is one of only 15 schools nationwide, and the only one in California, to receive gear.

‘When I started this brand, I did it simply because a woman in Orlando shouted at me because she couldn’t afford to buy my $130 shoes for her son,’ said O’Neal in a statement. ‘I am honored that the Hamilton Yankees have agreed to become part of the Dunkman family.’

Coach Edwin Williams said the team is inviting O’Neal to visit Hamilton when Miami plays the Lakers on Feb. 28.

-- Mike Terry

-- Image by Matt York/Associated Press

-- Image by: Matt York/AP