Did Me’arah Foreshadow Gators Selection? Exploring Her Choice of Picking Father Shaquille O’Neal’s NCAA Rival

It’s a big day for the O’Neal brood and the Swamp. The Florida Gators have found another superstar recruit in Me’Arah O’Neal. Shaquille O’Neal was present when his youngest kid signed a national letter of intent sealing her commitment with the University of Florida. Shaq was looking like the definition of a proud dad. He’s probably seeing the prediction he made when Meezy was 10 closer to reality. And he’s far from bitter that she picked his alma mater’s rival.

Ranked at No. 33, top programs in the country wanted the NBA legend’s scion on their roster. But it appears that Me’Arah and the Gators were predestined for greatness.

Shaq’s daughter was fated for the Swamp

When Shaquille O’Neal was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame in 2016, he asked 10-year-old Me’Arah to stand and said, “I don’t like to put pressure on my babies, but she works out with my sons, and I think it’s fair to say one day if she continues, Me’Arah will probably be the best women’s basketball player ever… She’s that good.”

This is the same dad who gave this memorable lesson to his youngest. “My dad always tells me that pressure makes diamonds.” That was immense pressure to put on the then-tween in a room full of NBA legends. But Little Diesel has a way of stepping up to a challenge.

She’s making Shaq’s prediction come true too. Already catching the eye of WNBA scouts, Me’Arah is about to cement her status at the collegiate level. Next season, she’s going to debut with the Gators alongside the highest-ranked recruit in the program’s history, Alivia McGill.

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Some may have seen it coming. Since her announcement, she’s shared responses from her loved ones on the news. One of her friends threw it back to when a tween Me’Arah was wearing a Gators jersey. Her friend wrote, “Gator since day 1.”

It’s not surprising that UF would be ingrained in her. When she was born in 2006, Shaq was playing with Miami Heat from 2004 to 2008. She picked up dribbling skills at three years of age watching her older brothers in their former Orlando home. Though far from Gainesville, the Gators pull was there as evidenced by the throwback picture.

Me’Arah O’Neal answers the Gators call

Back in August, Me’Arah announced the top 8 offers she was considering. Among the list containing Georgia Tech, Arizona State, Cal, Baylor, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Florida, LSU stood out for obvious reasons. The current no.1 program led by Angel Reese was Shaq’s alma mater.

During his three years with the Tigers, Shaq became famous nationwide. It would be the launching pad for the 1991 AP National Player of the Year who was drafted first overall in the 1992 NBA draft. Three decades later, Big Diesel and his daughter visited both LSU and UF for tryouts.

“I went on the Florida visit, and I had a feeling that’s where I belong,” Me’Arah said about what led to her decision. “And that I was going to be most successful if I went to go play at Florida. I felt like I connected with Coach Kelly more than I connected with any of the other schools that recruit me.”

Her mom, Shaunie, and older sister Amirah, accompanied her to UF. She showed she was inclined to Gainesville after showing off her Gators fit on Instagram In September. She had not given a teaser of her other college tours in the leadup.

The Los Angeles Lakers legend was with her on the LSU tour. He took a backseat and made sure he was not a factor in her decision. She doesn’t say that UF is a way to go farther from her dad’s alma mater. Nor is O’Neal dictating her choices.

All he wanted was for Me’Arah to complete her education. Perhaps he’d be happy if she became a lawyer too.

Me’Arah is more than Shaquille O’Neal’s daughter

As the early signing date drew closer, ESPN caught up with Me’Arah and her parents to delve more into her mind. She dropped no hints about where she’s going except saying she’s not going to stay in her father’s shadow.

All of Shaq’s kids have dealt with their dad’s fame in different ways. Myles hid his identity in public school. Shareef would correct anyone who refers to him as Shaq’s son. O’Neal also ensured his kids don’t think they get the trimmings of his hard-earned fame. They’ve taken his tough lessons well to be their own selves.

Me’Arah’s parents and siblings are already proud of her and she’s striving to make herself proud. “I’m pretty sure a lotta people expect me to play just like my dad,” she said. And yes, that was the primary reason why everyone thought she’d pick LSU on signing day. However, she’s no Shaq 2.0. “Fulfilling that name, that’s not really my goal… I just wanna be my own person and make a name for myself.”

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Me’Arah was given all the independence to pick her college. The 17-year-old admitted she pressured herself unnecessarily too but her family helped her through that. But the No. 1 program didn’t attract her.

Shaq profoundly told her at their LSU tour, “Go where you’re needed, not where you’re wanted.” The Gators met that criteria and it’s why they’ll have an O’Neal in their ranks in the next NCAA season.