Shareef O'Neal Says He, Father Shaquille 'Butted Heads' over 2022 NBA Draft Decision
Jun 21, 2022
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 26: Shareef O'Neal #24 of the LSU Tigers reacts against the Missouri Tigers during a game at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on February 26, 2022 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Shareef O'Neal told reporters on Tuesday that he and his father, Hall of Fame center and TNT analyst Shaquille O'Neal, have disagreed on his decision to turn pro ahead of the NBA draft.
Shaq wanted Shareef to finish school, and the two haven't discussed his workouts because it's become a tense subject.
Shareef O’Neal says he and his dad have butted heads over pre-draft process because Shaq wanted him to stay in school. Adds that his dad probably doesn’t want him sharing this, but, “I’m a grown man. I’m 22 years old I can make my own decision.”
"I'm not backing down from nobody," he said. "I know he's an NBA legend, I know he's my dad, but it was right in front of me, I had to go get it. So, if he likes it or not, it's not really gonna stop me from doing what I want to do."
Shareef O'Neal was a 4-star prospect coming out of high school, but a number of injuries and a heart condition limited him to just 37 college games between UCLA and LSU. He averaged 2.6 points and three rebounds per game during his college career and wasn't a huge factor for the Tigers this past season, playing just 9.2 minutes per game across 14 contests.
That makes him very unlikely to get drafted, though a team could take a flier on him as an undrafted free agent.
B/R's Jonathan Wasserman didn't have O'Neal being selected in his latest two-round mock draft. Neither did SI.com's Jeremy Woo. The Athletic's Sam Vecenie didn't have him listed as one of the top 100 players on his 2022 NBA draft big board.
Given his injury history, age and limited production in college, any team that does sign O'Neal would be banking on pedigree and raw upside. That makes his father's perspective—that he should have remained in school—easier to understand.
On Tuesday, he worked out for the Los Angeles Lakers, where Shaq and Kobe Bryant combined to win three titles.
"I walked in today and I was kind of star struck," he told reporters. "I was born into this team. My dad and Kobe won championships with this team."
"Now I got the Lakers jersey on," he added. "... I got a Lakers No. 6 on. Hopefully LeBron doesn’t get mad."
5-Star PG Marvel Allen Commits to LSU over Kansas, Memphis, OSU, More
Jan 15, 2022
JACKSONVILLE, FL - MARCH 23: The LSU Tigers logo on air of shorts during the Second Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament against the Maryland Terrapins at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on March 23 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Marvel Allen is going to be playing college basketball for LSUstarting with the 2023-24 season.
Allen, a 5-star Class of 2023 recruit, revealed his commitment to Joe Tipton of On3 Recruits on Friday and explained why he chose the Tigers:
[Head coach Will Wade] and [assistant head coach Kevin Nickelberry] have been to two of my games already. They both flew down to see me play in person. No other coach has done that. They were just keeping in contact with me, and they were actually talking to my parents every day. Not one day went by where they didn’t talk to me or my parents. Through all the games that I didn’t play well, they still showed the same support. I just felt like it was love. Me and my family prayed over it and we felt like this was the best decision.
It’s a reality now, as a kid I would dream about playing Division 1 basketball and now I’m living it. I’m just ready to get to work.
Allen is considered one of the best players in the 2023 recruiting class. He's a 5-star prospect, the No. 4 point guard and 18th-ranked player overall, per 247Sports' composite rankings.
Attending Calvary Christian Academy in Florida, he is a 6'4" point guard who has been one of the most sought-after prospects. He has received offers from programs such as Kansas, Ohio State, Florida, LSU and several others.
Speaking to Eric Bossi of 247Sports, Allen explained how he views his role on both ends of the court:
As a guard you want to keep everybody happy. Sometimes I have to take the responsibility to do that and know that I may not score as much. But I know that if I do that and make an impact defensively then overall as a team we can come up with some great accomplishments and if you are looking out for your teammate, it will help you out.
Allen will bring that mindset to the Tigers as they pursue a national title with the star guard running the offense.
"I’m coming in to start," Allen told Tipton regarding his Tiger future. "I can play the one or two, it doesn’t really matter. LSU plays team ball, and they share the ball well."
LSU is enjoying an excellent 2021-22 season, going 15-1 through 16 games and currently sitting No. 12 in the Associated Press Poll.
Wade appears to have turned the program around, and adding star players such as Allen will only help the Tigers remain a national powerhouse in the future.
Jacob Toppin, No. 16 Kentucky Upset by No. 21 LSU in SEC Showdown
Jan 5, 2022
Kentucky forward Jacob Toppin (0) dunks against LSU in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Baton Rouge, La., Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)
In a battle of SEC contenders, LSU made its case to be considered the conference's front-runner.
Thanks to a an excellent defensive effort, a balanced complement of scorers and a wild finish, the Tigers knocked off Kentucky in Baton Rouge on Monday night, 65-60.
Things got hairy late. LSU went on a 17-3 run in the second half and held a nine-point lead with 2:25 remaining. Kentucky then went on a 8-0 run to cut the deficit to one with 27 seconds remaining.
On the very next possession, it looked as though the Wildcats registered a steal, only to immediately give the ball back to the Tigers for a dunk. Kentucky then turned the ball over again, LSU got another easy bucket and the game was over.
It was a big win for the 13-1 Tigers after last week's loss to Auburn. Kentucky (11-3) saw its four-game winning streak snapped, meanwhile.
It was a tough result for Kentucky, who was less than 100 percent. TyTy Washington Jr. was clearly hobbled throughout the game, while Sahvir Wheeler left early on after taking a hard screen and didn't return.
Regardless, it will feel like a missed opportunity in an SEC that is loaded with talent. Arkansas, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky all pose a threat. But at the moment, it looks like a race between LSU and Auburn.
Key Stats
Tari Eason, LSU: 13 points, six rebounds, three assists
Darius Days, LSU: Nine points, seven rebounds
Xavier Pinson, LSU: 11 points, four assists
Kellan Grady, KY: 13 points
Jacob Toppin, KY: 14 points, eight rebounds
Davion Mintz, KY: 16 points
Toppin and Grady Did Their Part
With leading scorers Oscar Tshiebwe and Washington having a tough night (13 combined points, 6-of-18 from the field), the Wildcats need other players to step up.
Toppin did his part in the first half, keeping Kentucky within striking distance while showing off his tantalizing potential.
Jacob Toppin single-handedly carrying Kentucky in the first half. Not something I expected to tweet today.
He went cold in the second half, but Kellan Grady stepped up, sinking four three-pointers in the frame to drag a struggling offense throughout the final 20 minutes.
Without that duo, this game wouldn't have been close on a night that saw Kentucky shoot just 36.2 percent (21-of-58) from the field.
Tari Eason Just Keeps Producing
LSU's leading scorer came off the bench and led the way again for the Tigers, scoring four crucial points down the stretch to help seal this win.
On a night that saw Darius Days struggle to find his stroke (3-of-12 from the field), Tari Eason and Xavier Pinson helped pick up the slack.
Eason's playmaking and defense continue to make him a crucial cog for this talented Tigers squad. He helps LSU in all phases.
What's Next?
Kentucky hosts Georgia on Saturday at 6 p.m. ET on the SEC Network. LSU hosts Tennessee that same date and time on ESPN2.
'Pistol' Pete Maravich's Letterman Jacket from LSU Goes for Nearly $117K at Auction
Dec 14, 2021
Press Maravich is pictured with his shooting star of a son, Pete of LSU, Feb. 1969. (AP Photo)
An LSU letterman jacket worn by "Pistol" Pete Maravich during his standout college basketball
career with the Tigers sold for $116,924 at auction over the weekend.
Scott Rabalais of The Advocate reported
Monday the auction of Pistol Pete memorabilia from both his college and
the NBA days held by Arizona's Grey Flannel Auctions netted $160,000, led
by the jacket's six-figure sale.
Maravich is Division I basketball's
all-time leading scorer with 3,667 career points. He achieved the
record despite only playing three years of varsity basketball and
prior to the creation of the three-point line. He put up an
astonishing 44.2 points per game.
The king of the highlight reel, who was
coached by his father Press Maravich at LSU, won the Naismith Trophy as
college basketball's top player in 1969-70. He was also named a
consensus All-American and the SEC Player of the Year in all three of
his seasons with the Tigers.
His No. 23 was retired by the program,
which still plays in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
Maravich, the No. 3 overall pick in the
1970 NBA draft, went on to enjoy a successful pro career. He earned
five All-Star selections and won the league's scoring title in
1976-77.
He died in January 1988 at the age of
40 because of heart failure, but his legacy has endured the test of time.
LSU's Shareef O'Neal Says He's Not 'Fully Cleared' for Return After Latest Scans
Dec 3, 2021
BLOOMINGTON, IN - MARCH 20: Shareef O'Neal #32 of the LSU Tigers during the first round of the 2021 NCAA Division I Mens Basketball Tournament against the St. Bonaventure Bonnies held at at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on March 20, 2021 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Ben Solomon/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
LSU power forward Shareef O'Neal tweeted Friday that he has not been fully cleared to return from a stress fracture in his foot but that he'll be back soon.
O'Neal's father is Basketball Hall of Famer and former LSU star center Shaquille O'Neal.
The younger big man has persevered through numerous ailments to keep his basketball career alive. He started his college career at UCLA, and it was discovered that he had a right anomalous coronary artery that required open-heart surgery.
O'Neal ended up playing 13 games for UCLA in 2019-20. He then transferred to LSU and averaged 2.8 points and 4.4 rebounds in 14.5 minutes per game (10 appearances) last year.
He was rated as a 4-star power forward on 247Sports' composite list of the top class-of-2018 basketball prospects. Of note, O'Neal also ranked 41st overall and eighth among power forwards.
Hopefully O'Neal is cleared soon and able to showcase the talent that made him one of the more highly touted big men in his class. The 6'10", 220-pound big man would join an LSU team that has started 8-0.
5-Star PF Prospect Julian Phillips Commits to LSU over Tennessee, FSU
Oct 8, 2021
The LSU Tigers landed one of the best players in the 2022 recruiting class Friday when forward Julian Phillips committed.
He made his announcement during an interview with The Field of 68.
Phillips, who is 6'8" and 200 pounds, is a 5-star prospect and the No. 15 overall player, No. 2 power forward and No. 1 player from Missouri in the 2022 class, per 247Sports' composite rankings.
The first thing that stands out about his game is his versatility.
Phillips can play and defend multiple positions given his length and overall athleticism, which should help him play a key role in LSU's rotation right away. Jerry Meyer of 247Sports pointed to that skill set when projecting him as a future NBA second-round pick and comparing him to Corey Brewer.
While Brewer may not be a superstar name when it comes to comparisons, he was a productive NBA player who suited up in the league for 13 seasons for eight different teams. He also won a championship and was known for his versatility and defense.
That is a blueprint for Phillips, who Meyer noted is "developing" an outside shot to go with his driving ability on the offensive end.
He had a chance to further work on his game at Link Year in Branson, Missouri, before starting his collegiate career. Lou Bezjak of The State reported in August 2021 that Phillips transferred to the school and figured to play against elevated competition.
"We worked on my shooting and that is something I took very serious," said Phillips, who was a three-time all-state selection in South Carolina before the transfer. "I try to play as hard as I can and don't take any plays off. I think I am a versatile forward and can play inside and out."
If that shot continues to come along and Phillips lives up to expectations as someone who can impact the game in a number of ways, the Tigers will have one of the top overall playmakers in the 2022 class.
He should help them compete against some of the SEC's best teams, such as Kentucky, Arkansas and Alabama.
5-Star C Efton Reid Commits to LSU over FSU, NC State, More
May 9, 2021
Official March Madness 2020 tournament basketballs are seen in a store room at the CHI Health Center Arena, in Omaha, Neb., Monday, March 16, 2020. Omaha was to host a first and second round in the NCAA college basketball Division I tournament, which was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Five-star center Efton Reid, who is ranked 24th on 247Sports' composite rankings for the boys' high school basketball class of 2021, has chosen to attend LSU.
He announced it Sunday:
Before all else I wanna thank God for everything that he has done for me and all that he is going to do for me.I want to thank my Circle for giving me the support and guidance during this journey. All I got to say is I’m Ready to get to Work ‼️‼️‼️#bootup 🐯 pic.twitter.com/M5yzs0eTxf
The highly-touted prospect chose the Tigers out of a number of offers, with Florida State, NC State and Virginia leading the list.
Reid, who is listedthird among Class of 2021 centers, per 247Sports, plays for IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
The 6'11", 225-pound big man out of Richmond, Virginia, received the following scouting report from 247Sports director of basketball scouting Jerry Meyer, who called Reid a second-round NBA draft prospect:
"Has NBA center size. Game is skill based and not athletically based. Has good footwork and touch in post. Can stretch defense to three-point line. Comfortable with the ball as a passer. Has good hands and rebounds his area. Not a big shot blocker. Positional defender inside. Needs to improve quickness to defend on perimeter."
Seven-foot big men who can stretch defenses out to the three-point arc are great assets in a small-ball era where an abundance of three-pointers is commonplace, so Reid could be a fantastic addition for the Tigers as they look to compete for the NCAA Division I men's title.
LSU's Shareef O'Neal, Son of Shaquille, Reveals Stress Fracture Injury in Foot
Mar 22, 2021
LSU forward Shareef O'Neal (32) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Texas Tech in Baton Rouge, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. Texas Tech won 76-71. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
As LSU's men's basketball team saw its season come to an end with a second-round loss to Michigan in the NCAA tournament on Monday, Shareef O'Neal, the son of Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal, revealed he has been sidelined by a stress fracture in his foot:
The younger O'Neal, who started his collegiate career on the UCLA Bruins, played just 10 games for the Tigers this season.
He averaged 2.8 points and 4.4 rebounds during that span and has not appeared in a game since a Feb. 3 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide.
O'Neal was a 4-star prospect and the No. 41 overall player in the 2018 recruiting class, per 247Sports' composite rankings, but he played just 13 games for the Bruins last season. He also missed his first season because of an anomalous coronary artery that required open-heart surgery.
His mother, Shaunie O'Neal, said he "could've died" from it.
While living up to his father's reputation as a four-time NBA champion and three-time NBA Finals MVP may be a tall ask, O'Neal was adamant he is going to "work as hard as ever" this offseason.
That would seem to suggest he will be a contributor for the Tigers in 2021-22 as they look to build on this season's appearance in the NCAA tournament. They pushed the top-seeded Wolverines but ultimately fell 86-78 in a hard-fought, back-and-forth contest.
LSU has not made the Final Four since 2006, and O'Neal will surely try to help change that if he is healthy and ready to go next season.
UCLA forward Shareef O'Neal shoots against Stanford during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Shareef O'Neal, the son of Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal, has revealed his LSU jersey number, which is a tribute to late Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.
O'Neal's No. 32 is the sum of Bryant's two jersey numbers with the Lakers, Nos. 8 and 24:
As well, Shaq wore No. 32 during his NBA career when he played with the Orlando Magic, Miami Heat and Phoenix Suns.
Shaq and Kobe teamed up to win three consecutive NBA championships in L.A. from 2000 to 2002, making them one of the most successful duos in NBA history.
Shareef began his collegiate career at UCLA in 2018, but he had to redshirt as a freshman after being diagnosed with a heart condition. He made his collegiate debut last season, averaging 2.2 points and 2.9 rebounds in 13 games for the Bruins.
O'Neal transferred to his father's alma mater of LSU in February, and he is primed to be a significant part of the Tigers' success in 2020-21.
While the relationship between Shaq and Kobe was tumultuous at times both during and after their tenure as teammates, there was ultimately mutual respect, and there is no questioning the impact they made on the NBA both individually and together.
Bryant died in January at the age of 41 in a helicopter crash, and countless people both inside and outside the sport of basketball have honored him.
By choosing a number that represents both Kobe and Shaq, Shareef is paying tribute to everything they did for the sport of basketball.
