Shareef O’Neal, the son of Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal, was signed by the team as a freelancer a few weeks ago.
O’Neal recently played for his father’s former team, the Lakers, in the NBA Summer League. In six games, he averaged 4.7 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. Prior to that, the 6-foot-1, 220-pound O’Neal attended G League Elite Prospect Camp in May.
“O’Neal – son of Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal – signs six-figure contract with NBA G League Ignite,” Shams Charania tweeted. Charania noted that “NBA teams have been intrigued by O’Neal’s athleticism and pedigree throughout the pre-draft and summer league process.”
Shareef O’Neal — the son of Shaquille O’Neal — will play for the G League Ignite next season, sources tell @ShamsCharania.
O’Neal overcame open-heart surgery in 2018 and foot injuries in 2020 and 2021 to secure a six-figure professional contract.https://t.co/158Ih6EuRz pic.twitter.com/ZyKWy0Qajn
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) July 25, 2022
O’Neal caused a stir in June when he admitted his father wanted him to stay in school rather than run for the draft, the NYPost writes. “I know he probably doesn’t want me to say that, but I’m sorry. We’re both adults, we’re going to get over it,” O’Neal said. “I know he’s an NBA legend. I know he is my father. But it was right under my nose. I had to get it. Whether he likes it or not, it’s not really going to stop me from doing what I want to do.”
O’Neal, 22, has only played 37 collegiate games in three seasons at UCLA and LSU, handicapped by numerous health issues.
Shaquille, his father, is a four-time NBA champion and has played for a variety of NBA teams throughout his Hall of Fame career. The two teams he won titles with were the Miami Heat and the Lakers. He won three straight titles with the Lakers alongside Kobe Bryant, and with the Heat he won a title alongside Dwyane Wade.
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