Basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal dominated the NBA with his four championship wins and fifteen All-Star appearances. Today, his legacy shines through his children, such as Shareef who is deemed to play for the G-League team Stockton Kings, and; Me’Arah and Shaqir who are making their name in their debut year in the NCAA. However, the latest player to earn comparisons to Shaq isn’t from the O’Neal family tree.

A recent Instagram reel featuring Marcis Ponder has taken social media by storm, showcasing the high school phenom’s uncanny resemblance to Shaq’s playing style. The reel captures the 7-foot, 300-pound player executing thunderous dunks, and even hanging from the rim in a manner that shows vintage Shaquille O’Neal’s signature style.

“Is @iammarcisponder_ the NEXT SHAQ??  Marcis is one of the MOST DOMINANT BIG MEN in the country. He stands at a staggering 7FT Tall and weighs over 300LBs. Marcis originally played his HS Ball at OTE but has recently made the transfer to West Oaks Academy in Orlando, FL. 🎥🤯” read the caption of the video.

Interestingly, Shaq even shared this video on his profile, not once, but twice.

Marcis Ponder, a rising star in high school basketball, is quickly becoming a household name in hoops circles. Lil Shaq is ranked No. 29 in the 2026 class and has offers from Alabama, Chicago State, Florida State, Illinois, Mississippi State, Providence, UCF, and Miami (FL). Last August he transferred from Overtime Elite to Grind Session’s West Oaks Academy for his junior season and is now averaging 8.8 PPG and 9.5 RPG.

“Marcis is a great kid, and we’re thrilled to welcome him to the family. Joining our circuit reaffirms his commitment to his craft and future. We’re excited to be part of his journey,” said Grind Session CEO Scott Waldrop via the press release.

His dunk, replicating that of Shaq’s, immortalized in a statue by the LA Lakers, speaks of the exciting prospect he is. More so, with overall comparisons to the 4x champion, whose career is the gold standard for dominance. With career averages of 23.7 PPG and 10.9 RPG, Shaq’s presence on the court was unmatched. One of his most iconic moments came in 1993 when Shaq famously shattered the backboard during a game between the New Jersey Nets and the Orlando Magic.

While comparisons to Shaquille O’Neal are lofty, Marcis Ponder is proving he might be up for the challenge. If he continues to develop his game, he could be a generational talent capable of shaking up the sport. But how are Shaq’s own kids performing now?

The kids carrying on Shaq’s legacy

Big Aristotle is not just known for his dominance on the court but also for being a proud father to six children. Among them, a few have chosen to follow in their father’s footsteps. His children include Shareef, Amirah, Shaqir, Myles, Taahirah, and Me’arah, with Shareef, Me’Arah, and Shaqir currently playing competitively.

The two youngest kids of the O’Neal universe Me’Arah and Shaqir are making waves in the college basketball world. They both debuted this year on November 4th with Me’Arah playing for the Florida Gators, where her mother Shaunie was present to support her and Shaqir is focused on his stint with the Florida A & M Rattlers. While Me’Arah dipped down, currently averaging 6.6 PPG and 4.4 RPG, her brother, after a bad start, has found his footing and is averaging 9.9 PPG and 4.1 APG.

As for Shareef, he had decent numbers at the start of college, but his playing and trajectory were affected by a heart problem and subsequent surgery, which resulted in him averaging just 2.6 PP, 3 RPG, and 0.1 APG. In spite of these obstacles, he endured and joined the G League Ignite squad in 2022 to play for the NBA, where he averaged 3 RPG and 8 PPG.

Shareef got a chance to carry on his father’s legacy as he was selected to play for the Sacramento Kings this October but unfortunately, he was immediately shifted to the G-League team Stockton Kings as part of an Exhibit-10 deal. But Shaq’s legacy isn’t just about size but also heart, skill, and perseverance, and his kids seem to be carrying.