NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal to pay police academy expenses for 7-foot cadet in Kemah, Texas

KEMAH, Texas (KTRK) -- NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal announced on Sunday that he will pay for the law enforcement academy for a Kemah police officer in waiting.

Jordan Wilmore, a 7-foot-3-inch former basketball player who dreams of being a cop, completed the police academy but fell a little short on the state exam, according to the Kemah police chief, Raymond Garivey.

After O'Neal, who had been following Wilmore's journey, heard the news that Wilmore had initially failed the test, he told the cadet that he would be covering the police academy expenses so Wilmore could focus on passing the exam.

O'Neal announced the sponsorship from Kemah on Sunday, saying he went through the sheriff's academy in Los Angeles, so he knows what Wilmore is going through.

"It's very commendable of a guy who wants to be a cop," O'Neal said. "Shows me they were raised correctly."

O'Neal also promised to come back to Kemah when Wilmore graduates from the police academy.