From praising each other to banters or even dancing in a TikTok trend, “Uncle Shaq” and Angel Reese share an unbreakable and special bond. The former Lakers star, on countless occasions, seems to have backed the Baltimore native. Recently, Reese even opened up about how  Shaquille O’Neal has played a significant role in mentoring her, especially when it comes to off-court endeavors. During a Q&A session with Athlon Sports, the WNBA rebounding leader discussed Shaq’s influence while promoting her partnership with Cash App.

Angel Reese shared, “Shaq and I have always had a great relationship since the day we met, and he has been such a mentor to me both on and off the court.” Not only does O’Neal offer advice on perfecting her game, but he is also there to ensure she never makes the mistake he did, pushing her to think like a businesswoman. “He reminds me that I need to stay focused on basketball, but I should always be developing my off-court businesses too. He’s a true businessman and has helped me develop that same business mindset,” Reese explained, but what was that mistake?

Back in 1992, 20-year-old Shaquille O’Neal had cashed in on his first big endorsement deal from a trading card company. With a million-dollar check in hand, his excitement quickly led to reckless spending. “It was me being overly happy-slash-irresponsible,” Shaq recalled. Without hesitation, he bought multiple Mercedes-Benz cars, shelling out $400,000 for himself and his parents. But the splurging didn’t stop there; Shaq, thinking he still had $600,000 left, started buying jewelry. “I’ve gotta buy rings, diamonds, earrings—everything the homeboys had,” he admitted.

Reality hit hard when taxes came into play, and he realized his mistake. “I didn’t subtract the 15 percent, state tax, or FICA,” Shaq shared. Humbled by the experience, he vowed to get smarter with his money. “Luckily, I learned early. I don’t like missing two shots in a row, even if it’s a free throw,” he added. Now, with a net worth of around $500 million, Shaq has more than doubled his NBA earnings of $292 million – that’s the kind of success Angel Reese undoubtedly can achieve with his help.

Shaq and niece Angel Reese’s evergreen relationship

It all started in February 2023, when Angel Reese hosted Shaquille O’Neal’s daughter, Me’Arah, during her official visit to LSU. Before her game against Mississippi State, Shaq threw down a challenge—score 20 points and grab 20 rebounds. Reese didn’t just rise to the occasion; she shattered expectations with 23 points and 26 rebounds. Their connection grew even stronger when Angel asked Shaq to escort her on Senior Day, a privilege usually reserved for family.

In a recent interview with USA Today, Reese spoke about how much Shaq’s support means to her. “He’s super inspiring to me,” she said. “He’s so genuine, he’s been there for me through tough times… He doesn’t care about me as a player, he cares about me as a person.” The duo’s playful side was on full display when they appeared together on Reese’s podcast, Unapologetically Angel. The “uncle-niece” pair didn’t just sit and chat—they joined in on a trending dance challenge, perfectly syncing up to the viral ‘In da clurb, we all fam’ trend. 

After the 2024 WNBA Draft, Shaquille O’Neal shared his thoughts on their relationship with People, saying, “I am described as Angel’s understandable ear.” He also shared knowing Reese’s struggle and journey, so, he always gives her advice. Shaq added: “She’s the same age as my children, so I only want the best for her. And when you have daughters, you know how to use that calm voice… the first thing I told her is I was proud of her.”

What do you make of Uncle Shaq and Reese’s playful camaraderie? Share in the comments below.