Heavy-set Shaquille O'Neal sports a communist era hat before turning DJ at bizarre promotional launch of NBA game in China

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Former basketball star Shaquille O'Neal donned a communist cap and DJ-ed at a bizarre promotional event in China held to launch a NBA game.

While visiting Shanghai to mark the release of the cellphone game NBA All-Star 2, the huge former NBA star was pictured wearing the red star hat while posing for photographs with models.

Standing at 7ft, 1in tall, he dwarfed those around him before then climbing into the DJ booth to play music to the crowd.

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Former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal poses next to cheerleaders at the launch event in Shanghai, China

O'Neal donned a red star communist hat while watching the remainder of the game launch event

O'Neal posed in different versions of the hat, and next to a model, at the launch of the cellphone game NBA All-Star 2

After making a brief appearance on stage, the former basketballer then tried his hand at DJing

O'Neal plays music to the crowd as part of his duties during the promotional appearance in Shanghai, China

O'Neal recently shocked the world when he revealed he turned down what would have been a highly lucrative offer to invest in Starbucks.

O'Neal revealed in an interview with sports reporter Graham Bensinger that his biggest business flub was turning down the deal - one that could have made him millions - because his family didn't drink coffee when he was growing up.

O'Neal revealed that the lack of coffee in his household growing up led him to erroneously conclude that 'black people don't drink coffee'.

'We'd see the commercials, "Fill it to the rim with brim," but in my house, it was always sweet tea and hot chocolate,' he wryly admitted.

However, Starbuck CEO Howard Schultz still offered him the opportunity to open Starbucks franchises in predominantly African-American neighborhoods, but since O'Neal only invests in things he believes in, he turned down the once-in-a-lifetime offer.

'I looked at the great Howard Schultz’s face and said "Black people don’t drink coffee, sir, I don’t think it's gonna work." And you should have seen the look on his face,' said the chagrined retired athlete.