After taking a few minutes to recuperate, O'Neal somehow was able to rebound from the near shark attack and get right back into the cage

Lucky for the four-time NBA champion, professional marine biologists accompanying the dive were on hand to swiftly remove the shark

While diving with sharks in The Bahamas, one of the predators manages to squeeze through bars and float right above O'Neal's head

Shaq Does Shark Week, a week of shows hosted by the legendary 'Big Man,' kicked off on Sunday

Shaquille O'Neal almost became the victim of a shark attack while filming a Shark Week segment for The Discovery Channel

Former NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal was known as a ferocious predator on the court with his patented 'Shaq Attack' style of play.

But the seven-foot-one Hall of Fame Center was close to be becoming prey when a shark broke into a fortified custom steel cage during a film shoot for the Discovery Channel.

Shaq Does Shark Week, a week of shows hosted by the legendary 'Big Man,' kicked off on Sunday with a heart-stopping scene showing O'Neal swimming with a swarm of the marine predators in The Bahamas.

O'Neal, known for his 'Shaq Attack' style of play during his days in the NBA, almost became the victim of a shark attack over the weekend

While diving with sharks in The Bahamas, one of the predators manages to squeeze through bars and float right above O'Neal's head

After taking a few minutes to recuperate, O'Neal somehow was able to rebound from the near shark attack and get right back into the cage

Shaq Does Shark Week, a week of shows hosted by the legendary 'Big Man,' kicked off on Sunday

Teaming up with up with comedian Rob Riggle, O'Neal is seen submerged in the custom-built 'Shaq Cage,' standing 12 feet tall by 6 feet wide and fitted with customary windows for better viewing.

During filming, however, one of the sharks manages to squeeze through bars and float right above O'Neal's head.

Lucky for the four-time NBA champion, professional marine biologists accompanying the dive were on hand to swiftly remove the shark, and the basketball legend, from the enclosure.

After taking a few minutes to recuperate, O'Neal somehow was able to rebound from the near shark attack and get right back into the cage for another dive.

'I survived a shark attack, you b**ches!' O'Neal says triumphantly after leaving the water.

After taking a few minutes to recuperate, O'Neal somehow was able to rebound from the near shark attack

'I survived a shark attack, you b*****s!' O'Neal says triumphantly after leaving the water

The feat was no laughing matter for O'Neal, who told The New York Post that he's deathly afraid of the underwater carnivores.

'I'm terrified of sharks,' said O'Neal. 'I've watched "When Animals Attack" 1 through 10. Remember "Jaws"? And I live in Florida, so all the shark attacks in Florida…'

Will Packer, one of the episode's executive producers, said the incident was 'handled comically,' and gave the Post a little insight into what happened behind the scenes.

Teaming up with up with comedian Rob Riggle (pictured), O'Neal will host a week of the 'longest-running cable television programming event in history'

'Shaq calls Kevin Hart to help him out and Kevin says: "There's no way I'm getting in the water with sharks. You're crazy. Someone who's right for this and is totally qualified is Rob Riggle,'' said Packer.

'We put them in several situations: One is a contained pool at [The Atlantis resort] and there's another situation with a seal and then Shaq is out in the ocean with Rob and wild sharks.'

'Rob basically gives him nonsense advice that doesn't help anyone. It's hilarious. Thank god nobody got hurt. He wasn't very helpful when it came to the science of sharks — but we had actual scientists on board for that,' Packer added.

Due to his incredibly large frame, co-host Rob Riggle explains that producers on the show had to stitch together at least 'three or four' wetsuits together for the Big Man.

Originally premiering in July 1988, Shark Week has been an annual event for The Dicovery channel premiering every summer for over the past 30 years.

Since 2010, it has been the longest-running cable television programming event in history, according to The Washington Post.

Due to his incredibly large frame, co-host Rob Riggle explains that producers on the show had to stitch together at least 'three or four' wetsuits together for the Big Man



