Exactly one decade after his father’s NBA career ended, Jermaine O’Neal Jr. is announcing some big basketball news of his own.
O’Neal Jr. revealed in a post to Instagram this week that he has committed to SMU for college. The son of retired former NBA center Jermaine O’Neal, O’Neal Jr. had SMU and Vanderbilt as his two finalists (ultimately choosing the former).
A consensus four-star recruit, the 6-foot-5, 175-pound O’Neal Jr. plays as a small forward. He currently attends Dynamic Prep School in Irving, Tex. and is a member of the 2025 class.
O’Neal Jr’s father, who went to the NBA straight from high school, was a force in his own right. He played in the league from 1996-2014 and earned six All-Star nods along with three All-NBA selections. Now O’Neal Jr. is set to carry on his father’s legacy at SMU, becoming the latest son of a former NBA All-Star to announce his college decision this week.
