Yet another member of the O’Neal family is heading for Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge. Amirah O’Neal, the daughter of NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal, announced her college basketball commitment this week. Just like her brother, she’s going to LSU.
Like most young people, Amirah took to social media to make the official announcement. She posted the decision on Instagram, confirming that she’d be joining her brother at LSU. Shareef O’Neal announced back in February that was transferring from UCLA to LSU and the Tigers.
In a longer post, Amirah wrote: “One of the most difficult decisions for a person my age to make, is the jump from high school to college. Although I don’t fully know what’s ahead of me, I am ready for the challenge. I never imagined myself saying this, but I am excited to say that I have decided to commit to being a student-athlete at LSU alongside my brother Shareef. I am sooooo grateful to spend my next four years as a Tiger.”
Assuming the world returns to something more like “normal,” the 18-year-old Amirah will become a member of the Tigers 2020 incoming class. She’ll arrive on the LSU campus with plenty of good cred: at six foot three, she’s been a real standout at Crossroads School in Santa Monica, California.
She’s averaged 17.2 points per game, and has won several awards. She was an Honorable Mention selection to the MaxPreps 2019 California All-State Girls Basketball Team, as well as the Cal-Hi Sports Division IV All-State Team. (Tip ‘o the hat to 247Sports for the stats.)
Brother Shareef was quick to follow up on the ‘Gram, posting “THE BROTHER SISTER DUO. Congrats to my sister for committing to LSU.”
Of course the two young O’Neal siblings follow in the giant-sized footsteps of their father. Shaq spent three seasons with the Tigers from 1989 through 1992 before leaving school and being selected as the overall number one pick in the 1992 NBA draft, going to the Orlando Magic.
For his college days, Shaq averaged 21.6 points, 13.5 rebounds and 4.6 blocks per game, while shooting 61 percent from the field across 90 college hoops appearances.
Speaking of Shareef’s move to LSU, basketball coach Will Wade says he told Shaq’s son, “You’re going to make your own name here.” He said he’s spoken to Shaq and the former Tiger star was excited about having his son attend LSU. Now Shaq gets to visit campus for both the men’s and women’s games.
Coach Wade said, “The name O’Neal is a part of LSU basketball history.” Amirah puts her personal mark on that legacy starting next season.