Another of Shaq’s children is making moves when it comes to their involvement in the game their father excelled at – hoops. Son Shaqir O’Neal has announced he’s transferring to Florida A&M University in Tallahassee.
He’s making the move to FAMU after playing with Texas Southern, both HBCU schools (historically black colleges and universities.) O’Neal will join the team for it’s upcoming 2024-2025 season.
Officially, Shaqir O’Neal is a “legacy” admission to the college. His aunt, and Shaq’s sister, Ayesha Harrison-Jex, is an FAMU alumni who graduated with a degree in business administration. Sadly, she passed away in October 2019 after a three-year battle with cancer.
For now, Shaqir O’Neal will enter FAMU athletics as a redshirt junior. He played three years of college hoops for fellow Southwestern Athletic Conference school Texas Southern. At TSU, The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 1.6 points and 1.3 rebounds per game in 8.5 minutes. He was a member of the 2022 and 2023 SWAC Tournament Championship Texas Southern Tigers teams.
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Speaking about the incoming O’Neal, FAMU basketball head coach Patrick Crarey said, “Shaqir has played in one of the premier programs in our conference and for a great head coach. He brings versatility, athleticism, and experience to our team. I’m excited he chose me to help him achieve his goals.”
Both O’Neal and coach Crarey’s are new to FAMU. The coach was hired back in April, and this season will be his first for the Rattlers. O’Neal is the eighth signee for the program, which is also returning three scholarship players return from last season’s team, which struggled to a 6-23 season record.
For those keeping track, this move now means that two of Shaq’s children are getting their college educations and playing hoops in Florida. Last November, Me’Arah O’Neal, the youngest daughter of Shaquille O’Neal, signed to continue her college basketball career for the Florida Gators. She chose the Gators over her father’s alma mater, LSU.
FAMU has been making some interesting business moves in promoting campus athletics. Back in 2021, the school entered a six-year agreement with Nike to have NBA superstar LeBron James create Rattlers branded gear. So far, FAMU is is the only Lebron James-branded school.
Additionally, former NFL star wide receiver Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson is listed as FAMU’s Athletics Ambassador and Consultant on the program’s website. In 2020, Tevin Griffey, the son of Baseball Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr., played for the FAMU football team. He later transferred to Boise State.
Along with Shaqir and Me’Arah in college, Shaq’s oldest son Shareef is still doing his thing in the NBA G-League, playing for the Las Vegas Ignite. He played a bit with the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2022 NBA Summer League, and is working to get back to main league action.