Epic Games is known for its zest for inducting celebrities as Fortnite avatars, with Shaquille O’Neal being the latest inclusion. Here, he joined the likes of Travis Scott and LeBron James with a bundle that includes two skins, namely Shaq DJ Diesel and Super Shaq, two axes, and two emotes. While its launch in early October, preceded by a dramatic trailer, has garnered fan support, someone from his family has developed a liking for the game. 

This is about Shareef O’Neal’s recent IG Story. Here he shares his Fortnite stats projecting some impressive records. Since O’Neal’s third seed followed his father’s path by pursuing an NBA career, though undrafted, his turn into this O’Neal interest is attracting eyes. 

“I DO THIS!!@fortnite” wrote the former NBA G League player as he shared the win which got him a #1 Victory Royale. Fortnite enthusiasts might appreciate this achievement into the 51st level making 25 eliminations, 17 head shots, 169 hits, and causing 5,274 damage to players and 1,291 damage to structures.

This is done with an accuracy of 31% while traveling 8 km. Moreover, the damage taken is 539 which is only about 10% of the caused damages. The stats also demonstrate many accolades including the Storm Runner title for winning the match without storm damage. This leap makes it interesting to also dig into his basketball career. 

Much to the LSU alum’s dismay his career games are limited to 37 averaging 2.6 points and 3.0 rebounds as a power forward. The drag is credited to a heart condition and surgery he had while playing for UCLA Bruins in 2018. Before that, he was a rising star in Crossroads School, California with a career high of 20 points against Mater Dei.

Even though he declared for the 2022 NBA draft, he went undrafted. In the following year, O’Neal was founded with NBA G League Ignite where he played 11 games the stats of which are 10.5 minutes, 4.5 points, and 1 rebound.

Now that the 24-year-old O’Neal’s Fortnite and hard floor achievements are covered, it is time to get back to Shaquille O’Neal’s game interests.

O’Neal and his game interest

The O’Neals are making waves in the basketball world. What started with Shaq is now being carried by Me’arah and Shaqir, and for a short stint, even Shareef. But while the Lakers legend’s NBA career is long over, the competitiveness inside him still thrives. But even for video games, it all started in the professional basketball grounds itself.

The NBA had a video gaming culture, as recollected by the ‘Superman‘: “I would always play in phases. Every now and then, we used to have tournaments among the team,” says the 4x NBA Champion to People. He relates this mostly to an old friend and rival, Kobe Bryant, who used to stay at home and play for long. 

Specifically speaking of Fortnite, ‘DJ Diesel’  had Travis Scott as his influence: “I remember when Travis Scott got into it, it was really big, and I kind of wanted to do the same thing,” says Big O’Neal. In short, a long-forgotten interest in gaming and influences from contemporaries made ‘Big Shamrock’ get involved with Epic Games.

Peeking into the game, O’Neal could be seen taking his DJ aura wearing a tank top and a Super Shaq outfit that resembles a Superman suit. With a heavy bundle including a Shaq Shimmy emote and pricing, paid in V bucks, brought down with a customizable bundle, it overshadows the currently unavailable skin of ‘King James‘.

So Fortnite is making the gaming scene more vivid with inclusions like Shaq. No wonder why his son’s generation builds a likening for the same.