For the regular readers of the ShaqFu Radio blog, you know that our man Shaq is always supportive and wanting the best for his kids. Even if he doesn’t necessarily agree with some of their decisions, he’s there for them. We’re seeing that dynamic playing out with a story about O’Neal and his eldest son, Shareef.
Through his high school and college days, the younger O’Neal seemed like he wanted to follow in his father’s oversized footsteps and eventually make his way to the NBA. The journey hasn’t been all that easy, and the end of the story has not yet been written.
Originally Shareef signed on to go to UCLA, but just as he was starting his college days, health issues cropped up. He underwent open heart surgery in 2018, and thankfully made a full recovery. He then transferred to LSU, his father’s alma mater. There were health issues there as well, as he suffered several foot-related injuries in 2020 and 2021.
O’Neal did make a play for the NBA, as he put on a Lakers uniform for the 2022 NBA Summer League. He averaged 4.7 points and 3.7 rebounds per game in that session… not enough for him to be signed by the Lakers or any other team – he was not drafted.
He did however sign a nice six-figure contract with the Las Vegas Ignite, as the NBA tried again to create a developmental league for upcoming players, team managers and even refs. Unfortunately, that league didn’t last.
The BIG Podcast with SHAQ
That led Shareef to consider going to Australia to continue his professional hoops career. But – and it’s really where this story takes off – it seems the move down under never happened. In an interview with the podcast Then They Rose, Shareef told the story of talking with his father about moving so far away from family.
Shareef says he was ready to make the move, but Shaq talked about having him with the family for Thanksgiving. On the podcast, Shareef said, “We’re sitting we’re on the plane he’s like Australia’s far all this like you know you don’t have to go to Australia and I’m kind of like yeah I kind of just wanted to move I don’t know why just was I was like let me just go try something new and I was going to move to Australia.”
So with the move to Australia off the table – at least for now – what’s the younger O’Neal going to do? Well, maybe dad had some good reasons for talking his son into staying in the states. Seems Shareef is going to be helping dad with rebranding and rebuilding the Reebok basketball business!
O’Neal (Shaq) was appointed as the president of basketball operations for Reebok last October. He quickly announced that friend and former NBA superstar Allen Iverson would be vice president. Reebok has always been in the sports apparel business, but it’s looking to get back to some of it’s former glory. Still, Reebok is doing well… the company was valued to be $2.46 billion in 2022.
Joining his father, Shareef can definitely bring ideas and styles to appeal to a younger audience. Again, from the podcast interview, Shareef said, “… he’s like can you do me a favor this year can you help me rebrand Reebok I’ll let you help redesign the shoes…redesign the clothes help sign players he’s like, ‘I really need your help.’”
Shareef is looking forward to the new gig, and to being closer to family. Still, he says his goal of playing professional hoops is far from over. On a recent social post, he wrote: “Guys, I’ve been working along side my father with rebranding Reebok brand.. and we will get it back to the top. I WILL BE HOOPING AGAIN, I know I’ve been missing and haven’t been posting what I’m doing but I did not stop! I will be back soon! Just want to help out my dad.”
So, very cool! Can’t want to see what this father-and-son team comes up with at the new Reebok.