Who is Shaquille O’Neal’s daughter Me’Arah O’Neal?
Me’Arah O’Neal, the fourth and youngest O’Neal family member to play collegiate basketball, is Shaquille O’Neal’s daughter. Her father’s alma university, LSU, was rejected, and she decided to play for the Florida Gators. She took to Instagram and ESPN’s SportsCenter to announce her choice to join the team.
Me’Arah, now seventeen, was born in Miami on May 1, 2006, while Big Diesel was still a player for the Miami Heat, to Shaq and his ex-wife Shaunie.
Me’Arah O’Neal has three brothers, Shareef O’Neal, Shaqir O’Neal, and Myles B. O’Neal, who are all older than her. Her two older sisters are Taahirah O’Neal and Amirah O’Neal. Myles decided on a career in entertainment, but Shareef and Shaqir wanted to play basketball.
Basketball Wives, Basketball Wives LA, and Baller Wives are reality TV shows that Shaunie Henderson, her mother, executive produces. Shaunie has experience working in movie marketing.
Me’Arah has a highlight clip from her time playing basketball at Houston’s Episcopal High School. Shaq said his daughter would be the greatest player of all time when she was ten years old.
Officially signed?
— Gators Women’s Basketball (@GatorsWBK) November 13, 2023
Welcome home, @MeArahONeall!
? https://t.co/sR24KsK5Cy | #GoGators pic.twitter.com/gpZjnXQlJr
Apparently, Arizona State, Baylor, UCLA, Florida, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, and Tennessee were among the other contenders on her list.
Me’Arah O’Neal, the daughter of Shaquille O’Neal, choose Florida over LSU
Me’Arah told ESPN that she chose Florida because she felt a connection to Kelly Rae Finley, the coach, and the university gave her a feeling of community.
“I went on the Florida visit, and I had a feeling that’s where I belonged,” she explained. “And that if I went to play at Florida, I was going to be the most successful… I clicked better with Coach Kelly than with any of the other colleges that offered me a scholarship. She genuinely cares about me, both on and off the court. That is important for me,” Me’Arah told ESPN.
Me’Arah O’Neal desired to follow her professional path and avoid being overshadowed by her father’s success. Before moving to Florida, she was nothing short of exceptional in high school. Me’arah can reach a height of 6 feet 3 inches and is ranked 33rd in the 2024 Draft class.
Shaq wasn’t upset that his daughter decided to attend Florida instead of LSU. He expressed his desire for his kids to write and go on their own adventures.
“I did advise her to go where she is needed, not where she is wanted. It could take some time if you go where you’re needed and they have other people who are similar to you. Shaquille stated, “I want [my kids] to have their journey, have their own experience.”
Shareef, her brother, was a player for LSU and UCLA, his father’s alma school. Her brother Shaqir plays football for TSU, while her sister Amirah attended Texas Southern and LSU.
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