Shaquille O’Neal’s youngest daughter has committed to a college as she looks to make a career out of basketball.
Shaq, who’s considered to be the most dominant player to ever suit up in the NBA, is a four-time champion and a Hall of Famer. It’s no surprise that his children want to follow in his footsteps. His son, Shareef, is in the G League, having played for UCLA and LSU. And now his daughter is looking to make her mark on women’s college ball.
Me’Arah O’Neal, ranked No. 33 in the 2024 recruiting class, recently announced her commitment to the Florida Gators.
The 17-year-old, who plays for Episcopal High School in Houston, had several recruiting offers – including from her dad’s alma mater, LSU – but says she felt more connected to Florida than anywhere else.
“I went on the Florida visit, and I had a feeling that’s where I belonged,” she told ESPN. “And that I was going to be most successful if I went to go play at Florida. I felt like I connected with coach Kelly [Rae Finley] more than I connected with any of the other schools that recruited me. She really cares about me not just on the court but off the court. That’s important for me.”
Me’Arah also insists that her family had no influence on her decision. and, while Shaq did take her on her visit to LSU, he mostly stayed out of it.
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“What I did tell her is, ‘Go where you’re needed, not where you’re wanted,” the former Lakers and Heat superstar said. “Because if you go where you’re wanted and they got other people like you, may take a while.’ I want [my kids] to have their own journey, have their own experience.”
