A restraining order was filed by an Atlanta-area woman on Thursday against Phoenix Suns centre Shaquille O'Neal, according to a report in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Friday.
The newspaper said that Fulton County Superior Court Judge Richard Hicks granted Alexis Miller the order after O'Neal allegedly "stalked her, threatened her with bodily harm and made harassing phone calls in which he breathed heavily into the phone before hanging up."
The 23-year-old Miller, who is a hip-hop artist better known as Maryjane, ended an intimate relationship with O'Neal last month, according to the report. O'Neal divorced from his long-time wife, Shaunie, in 2007.
Apparently as a result of the break-up, the newspaper said O'Neal threatened to pay performers $50,000 not to work with her.
"It's been very difficult for her," L. David Wolfe, Miller's attorney, told the Journal-Constitution. "Her fears are not only for herself but also the people around her."
Wolfe told the newspaper that Miller has a young son, who he described as 'pretty traumatized'.
Citing the court affidavit, the report said that the legendary centre was quoted in an e-mail as saying, "I don't no who the (expletive) u think u dealin wit u will neva be heard from one phone call is all I gotta make now try me. Sho me."
The 36-year-old O'Neal reportedly had yet to be served court papers but, according to the newspaper, will appear in court again on September 4 to revisit the restraining order's specific restrictions.
The former NBA MVP and Florida resident is not permitted to come within 200 yards of Miller or her 19-month-old son, the report said.
A four-time NBA champion and one of the most dominant players in league history, the 7ft 1in, 330-pound O'Neal was traded to the Suns in February after leading the Miami Heat to a title in 2006. He won his first three championships with the Los Angeles Lakers alongside Kobe Bryant.