Tyler Herro talks to Shaq about Kentucky, new Overtime series, NBA life

Former Kentucky guard Tyler Herro has taken on the star life as a member of the Miami Heat. He’s filming commercials, advertising products, and exploring fashion, fully embracing his celebrity status. Fans are even crashing their cars out of excitement during public meet-and-greets.

His latest off-court professional endeavor? A six-part documentary series with Overtime, which is set to premiere Sunday, October 10.

Herro joined NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal on The Big Podcast to preview the new show, one that will give fans an inside look at his offseason while preparing for year three in the NBA.

“We shot a video recapping my whole summer, time with my family, working out, really my whole offseason,” he said on the podcast, adding that the documentary is as in-depth as he was allowed to go. The show will premiere on Overtime‘s YouTube page.

Beyond the documentary, Herro also discussed his time at Kentucky, with co-host Spice Adams asking the former four-star recruit why he didn’t spend two years in Lexington.

Before he could even get an answer out, Shaq jumped in to lay it out quickly and clearly.

“(Tyler Herro) didn’t need to because he’s cold. Because he’s cold,” he said. “What do you mean ‘Why didn’t he come back?'”

No arguments there from Herro.

“I had to,” the former Wildcat said. “I felt like I could’ve come back, Coach Cal wanted me to come back. Like Shaq said, I felt like I was good enough to make that jump.”

Herro says Calipari knew it was clear Herro was a first-rounder, but he wanted to ensure he came off the board in the lottery. If he couldn’t get that promise, he needed to come back and become a top-10 pick the following season.

“That was the pitch,” he said. “He didn’t know after my freshman year if I was gonna be a lottery pick or not, and that’s what he wanted. He felt like if I came back my second year, I could be top ten.”

As hoped, Herro was selected No. 13 overall by the Miami Heat, a moment the standout guard had been thinking about since high school.

“I started taking the game serious in the eighth grade or freshman year of high school,” said Herro. “By my junior or senior year of high school, that’s when I knew I wanted to take it to that next level and be a pro one day.”

Tyler Herro emerged as an instant fan favorite as a rookie, helping lead the Heat to a spot in the NBA Finals while averaging 13.5 points (42.8% FG, 38.9% 3PT, 87% FT), 4.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per contest. He followed it up by averaging 15.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game in year two.

A solid season, for sure, but Herro’s expectations are even higher going into year three.

“I’m excited for this year. I feel like my mindset is where it needs to be,” he said. “I’m ready for a bounce-back year, if you will.”

Watch Herro’s full appearance on The Big Podcast with Shaquille O’Neal below:

You can find Herro’s documentary on Overtime‘s YouTube page starting Sunday, Oct. 10.