Are Shaquille O'Neal's Kids Going to Play in the NBA Too?

By Jocelyn Alano June 18, 2024 14:51

credit. Berovsky and Getty Images

NBA legend, Shaquille O'Neal isn't just an extraordinary athlete; he's also a proud father of six kiddos. Two of his children, Shareef and Shaqir, have followed him into basketball, with speculation in recent years about whether they would play in the NBA. We will be dissecting further into their life, their life history, where they are now in their career, as well as following their father's steps.

The Basketball Journey of Shareef O'Neal

Eldest son of Shaquille O'Neal and his ex-wife Shaunie O'Neal, Shareef O'Neal, came into his basketball career full of hopes. He played college football with UCLA and LSU proving his worth and dedication. Still, Shareef dealt with setbacks too, after all, he had spent years dreaming of a spot in the NBA, only to face his health nightmare. As a side note, he also had open-heart surgery at 18 - which could not have been beneficial for his progression in the sport.

College Career: Pipeline and Professional Circuit

Shareef began his career in professional basketball after both of his college stints, as he suited up for the NBA G League Ignite. As hard as he could have possibly tried, Shareff ended up having an underwhelming professional basketball career in comparison to his father. His numbers and the way he has played have not made him a serious candidate for the NBA.

Shaqir O'Neal's Basketball Dreams

Additionally, the second son of Shaquille O' O'Neal, Shaqir, is also a basketball player and a forward at Texas Southern University. Shaquir is undeniably basketball-obsessed, but he isn't projected as an NBA-caliber player based on his college basketball performance and stats.

Examining Their NBA Potential

It's important to note that the road to the NBA is extremely competitive and grueling. Growing up in the shadow of a legendary father can be tough, but we must learn to look at everyone for who they are and all that they can be.
Expectations and trajectories going forward
Judging by their careers and play on the court it's clear Shareef and Shaqir O'Neal may not reach the heights of their father in the NBA. Advanced tweeted the following when describing what the competitive distinction and the professional responsibilities of basketball entail and the performance that which those players have shown: as of now, it was not at a level necessary for developing an NBA career.

In the End

Shareef and Shaqir O'Neal seem destined for the NBA as their father did, but their stats and career arc tell a different story. It's important to know that and appreciate that, while also being mindful of the very real business that is professional basketball. Given the ever-changing landscape of the sports world, that could very well be the case a few years down the line, and oftentimes, it becomes quite captivating to witness where they go after the NBA.
But when looking at where the O'Neals are in their basketball journey right now, it's not as obvious that the route to the NBA in the short term is the right one for Shareef or Shaqir O'Neal. However, their commitment to the game and their separate journeys warrant recognition and encouragement as they continue to make their way through the basketball world and onto the next.

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