Determined to Step Out of Shaquille O’Neal’s Shadow, 23YO Son Gains HoF Dad’s Pearls of Wisdom

Whether it’s his eldest releasing new music or his daughter playing basketball at his alma mater, Shaquille O’Neal‘s influence on his kids shows. His children are showing his athletic prowess with potential to be professional basketball stars. One of them has one foot in the NBA too. The O’Neal fam is well aware that they receive extra attention because of Shaq. So the 7’1″ dad ensures they have a good understanding of their privileges.

Shaq’s parenting principles show prominently in his 23-year-old son. He’s overcome health struggles to be known by his own name. Big Diesel told US Weekly how he enabled Shareef’s aspirations.

Shaquille O’Neal supports Shareef from the background

Shaquille O’Neal and his ex-wife, Shaunie Henderson’s son, Shareef O’Neal has all the athletic genes of his parents. While his four youngest kids are all inclined to basketball and very talented, Shareef has been gaining more attention for it. He’s currently playing in the NBA G League with potential to play professionally. The 23-year-old of course had to deal with people’s inability to separate him from his famous father.

While speaking about his kids to Us Weekly, Shaq showed he’s aware of it. “His career is different ‘cause, of course, they’re going to look at me and try to compare him to me,” the proud dad said.

Shareef started at UCLA where he underwent heart surgery. It was one of the most difficult periods for the family but the youngster recovered. Shareef bounced back in a big way, transferred to his dad’s alma mater, LSU, and entered the 2022 NBA draft. He went unsigned but joined the NBA G League Ignite in Nevada.

All eyes are on him as everyone watches to see if Shareef will head to the pros like his dad. With this kind of scrutiny, Shaq ensured it didn’t get to his son.

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“I always tell him, ‘Forget about me. There is no me. You just do the best you can do and you just have fun and you just play.”

Shareef takes the advice to his heart. While he has his father’s silent support, he has low tolerance for those who only view him as Shaq’s son.

Shareef doesn’t want to be just Shaq’s son

Shareef and his siblings have grown up navigating the pros and cons of Big Diesel’s larger-than-life persona.

They have encountered their fair share of people who want to get closer to their dad through them. During a podcast appearance in July, Shareef says he doesn’t waste his time with those people.

His way of turning those people down is to say, “My name is not Shaq’s son.” Works like a charm.

Shaq is proud of Shareef and the other kids. He’s sometimes shown up at their games too. But he’s not greedy for them to turn out like him and hopes they’d do their own thing. What is your take on Shaq’s relationship with Shareef and his siblings?

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