Shaquille O’Neal is celebrated not only for his dominance on the basketball court but also for the profound bond he shares with friends and teammates. From heartfelt tributes to late Lakers teammate Kobe Bryant to his unwavering support for loved ones, Shaq has always exemplified the value of loyalty and empathy. The same spirit of camaraderie seems to resonate deeply with his son, too.

In an emotional Instagram story, Shareef O’Neal shared a picture of his late friend, who goes by @bossupe2, accompanied by the words, “Man, no way, bro. REST EASY BROTHER. Love you dawg.” The 24-year-old power forward even shared a few more pictures on his Story as a tribute to his friend: in one, we can see the seven-footer’s son standing by his friend, and the other story featured a diamond-glazed ‘Boss Up’ ring that his friend used to wear. For Shareef, who has faced his battles with mortality, the loss feels all the more personal. The 23-year-old has been no stranger to life’s fragility, having faced struggles with heart problems during his time at UCLA.

Shareef O’Neal’s heart condition came to light in 2018 during a routine medical check-up while preparing for his freshman basketball season at UCLA. Doctors discovered he had an anomalous coronary artery, a rare and potentially life-threatening condition where one of the coronary arteries is improperly connected to the heart. This defect can restrict blood flow, increasing the risk of heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest, especially during intense physical activity. “It was something that I was born with and didn’t find out until I was at UCLA. Nothing I’ve gone through in life was worse than that surgery. I feel like my life flashed in front of my eyes that one time,” said Shareef in an interview with KTNV.

To address the issue, Shareef underwent open-heart surgery, a procedure that required months of recovery and rehabilitation. The experience was a turning point for Shareef, who had to put his basketball dreams on hold while facing the uncertainty of his health and future. “I didn’t shoot a ball for like 10 months. I didn’t even touch a basketball. I couldn’t carry anything over 9 pounds for 7 months because they had to break my sternum, it hurt to breathe. I couldn’t even sit up. Everything I did just hurt,” added Shareef.

While Shareef mourns the passing of his friend, his tribute is a testament to the enduring human spirit. Through his words and actions, he honors his friend and reminds his followers to appreciate their own relationships.

But how is the seven-footer’s son doing in his game now?

Shareef O’Neal’s current state as a basketball player

Before his heart surgery in 2018, Shareef O’Neal was a rising star in the basketball world. As the son of NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, Shareef showcased immense promise during his high school years at Crossroads School in California. As a senior, he scored a staggering high of 15 points in 2017, which helped him take his team toward victory against Brentwood. His high school career high came in the same year when he scored 20 points against Mater Dei.

At the beginning of college, Shareef’s stats were respectable. However, as mentioned before, a heart condition and subsequent surgery impacted his playtime and trajectory, leading to him only averaging 2.6 PP along with 3 RPG and 0.1 APG. Despite these setbacks, he has shown resilience, joining the G League Ignite team to pursue his NBA dreams, averaging 8 PPG and 3 RPG.

His big break came this year on October 18, after a one-year hiatus from playing. The Sacramento Kings selected him, and he got the chance to complete his NBA dream of becoming a player like his father. Unfortunately, this happy moment was short-lived, as he was immediately moved to the G-League team Stockton Kings as part of an Exhibit-10 deal. While he may still be developing as a player, his perseverance and love for the game are undeniable.