Reports are confirming Nicole “Hoopz” Alexander confirmed to the Globe on Friday  that she and her longtime boyfriend, retired Celtic Shaquille O’Neal, have called it quits.

 

The two met in 2010  and lived in Sudbury together while Shaq played for the team. They left the  local ’burbs when he retired, and have been living in Florida. Alexander was back in Boston with Shaq just a few weeks ago when he was called to the North Shore filming scenes for Adam Sandler’s local comedy sequel, “Grown Ups 2,” in  which he plays a security guard.

 

Alexander said in 2011, shortly after moving  to town, that she took to Sudbury because it reminded her of her hometown in  suburban Michigan.

 

While Hoopz makes the break up seem was mutual and amicable, BSO sources says  there was trouble brewing.

 

The straw that seem to have broke the camel’s back was an argument at the  Orlando Metro Gymnastics facility.  Hoopz after watching Gabby Douglas win the  All-Around at the Olympics, wanted to get some lessons.

 

Here is what happened according to an eyewitness at the gym.

 

“The gym doesn’t teach people over the age of 18 for insurance purposes and  when Hoopz was told this she lost her mind.  She started to curse out the staff  and became belligerent.  She got extremely loud, screaming at the top of her  lungs how she needed to train for the 2016 Olympics.

 

Shaq was embarrassed, he dropped his head like he was ashamed of her. He  didn’t say anything while they were in the gym, but once they got to their car a  heated argument took place.  You could hear and see them screaming at each  other.  I felt bad for him.”

 

Another witness confirms the story. While the breakup did not happen that  day, it appears Shaq’s annoyance with her behavior eventually led to the breakup  that Hoopz confirmed with the Boston Globe.