
via Getty
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 28: Shaquille O’Neal attends 2019 World Lightweight & World Light Heavy Weight Championships at State Farm Arena on December 28, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

via Getty
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 28: Shaquille O’Neal attends 2019 World Lightweight & World Light Heavy Weight Championships at State Farm Arena on December 28, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
Shaquille O’Neal has taken a no-praise-limit approach to Angel Reese. The 2023 NCAA championship-winning run has propelled Reese into the limelight. Having impressed on and beyond the court, she continues to garner praise from big names, especially from Shaq and his family. The LSU alumni and their bonds have evidently been on full display.
Shaq rated Reese over greats like himself, 5x All-Star Pete Maravich, and other LSU icons. These comments invoked public criticism and LSU Track-And-Field legend, Lolo Jones, took a jibe at the 4x NBA champion. It seems, however, a former Lousiana player and one of Shaq’s own has stepped up in support of Reese.
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Shaquille O’Neal’s son expresses his adulation for Reese in two words
Shaq has engaged in debates about Reese’s greatness, unapologetically. He countered Dave Portnoy in the style typical of him. Shaq’s son, Shareef, also an LSU alumnus, has done his part in giving the low-block player high praise. After transferring from UCLA, the 23-year-old played at LSU for two years. Like him, Reese also shifted from Maryland to LSU. In only her first season with Lousiana, the young player’s star is already on the rise.
After winning the NCAA championship, Reese touched another milestone when she starred in renowned rapper Cardi B’s video. Subsequently, she also featured in NLE Choppa’s Champions, which also starred LeBron James and Mike Tyson. As a result, Shareef O’Neal continues to make sure that the LSU phenom achieves further name recognition. His Instagram story sums it up in two words “Our GOAT”.
After such admiration, the pressure on the LSU Center has grown big-time. She also touched upon that while talking to her “uncle” Shaquille O’Neal on a phone call. During the last NCAA season, she put up mountainous numbers. She averaged a highly impressive 23 points per game, 15.4 rebounds per game, 1.8 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game on 52.5% shooting
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Expectations of the LSU Star grow after a heroic run
Shaq can relate to the up-and-coming superstar because she herself operates a lot in the paint. She broke the record for the most double-doubles n a single NCAA season. She has a versatile post-move collection and her ability to pump fake and unsettle defenders has caused ripples.

USA Today via Reuters
Apr 2, 2023; Dallas, TX, USA; LSU Lady Tigers forward Angel Reese (10) controls the ball against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the first half during the final round of the Women’s Final Four NCAA tournament at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
If she opts to go to the WNBA, she will face much more physical defense. But if we look into her game style, it can fit the needs of the league. After “silencing” Caitlin Clarke, the LSU Superstar invited controversy with her “you can’t see me” celebration right in front of the Iowa Superstar. Will she be also edging out Clark in the 2024 WNBA draft?
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