Shaq’s son Shareef O’Neal getting opportunity from new NBA team
Jul 10, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Shareef O’Neal (45) reacts after a play during an NBA Summer League game against the Charlotte Hornets at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Shareef O’Neal is getting a chance from the team that his father used to be a part-owner of.
The Sacramento Kings announced Friday that they have signed Shareef, the eldest son of Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal. Shareef is being signed and waived, likely setting him up to join Sacramento’s G League affiliate, the Stockton Kings.
Sean Cunningham of KTXL in Sacramento shared a video of Shareef (wearing No. 35) at practice with the Kings.
Today's glimpse into Kings practice in Sacramento shows Doug McDermott getting acclimated to his new team, Shareef O'Neal participating in practice and Skal Labissiere in practice before he was waived shortly after. pic.twitter.com/KdC8hmHAqO
— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) October 18, 2024
Now 24 years old, the 6-foot-10 Shareef attended college at UCLA before transferring to LSU, his dad’s alma mater. He overcame a 2018 heart surgery and joined the G League Ignite in 2022 after going undrafted. Shareef also previously got a chance with the Los Angeles Lakers, his father’s former NBA team, during Summer League.
Shaq was said to have disagreed with his son’s decision to turn pro early. But now some two years later, Shareef is a little bit closer to his dream of playing in the NBA.
