25 Most Stylish Bostonians of 2010 -- Shaquille O'Neal

Age: 38

Occupation: Once upon a time, "basketball player" would have sufficed. But since being drafted No. 1 by the Orlando Magic 18 years ago, this backboard behemoth known simply as Shaq has grown his game — and his brand. He still can’t shoot free throws, but the four-time NBA champ has released four rap albums, been in nearly a dozen films, and starred in two reality TV shows. A one-man hype machine, the future Hall of Famer is also a social networking star, with over 3.3 million followers on Twitter. (His next publicity stunt? Check @The_Real_Shaq.) The big man’s fashion sense ranges from funny — he donned a bow tie for his introduction as a Celtic — to functional. At a recent charity function, Shaq showed up in a charcoal suit with a lavender shirt and tie. How very dashing.

Residence: Sudbury

Q. At 7-foot-1 and 345 pounds, I’m guessing it’s hard to find clothes in your size.

A. Not really. My suits are all custom. But I usually wear jeans and a sweatshirt. Nothing too fancy.

Q. That’s a nice purple shirt and tie. You have some favorite colors?

A. I like blues, blacks, and browns — the colors of Obama.

Q. Wait, are those slippers?

A. Yeah. Gotta have my slippers.

Q. Black suede slippers? Nice. What size?

A. 22.