Shaquille O’Neal almost had it. Sitting at SEC games while cheering for his alma mater would have been a moment! But the Big Aristotle has always let his kids make their own decisions and shape their own careers. After Shareef O’Neal, O’Neal’s youngest was all set to star for LSU. Former Tigress Angel Reese and coach Kim Mulkey almost had her convinced, but one reason changed her mind, and she ultimately chose to join the Florida Gators instead.

In her introductory video for the college, Me’Arah explained that she felt connected with the familial atmosphere of Florida that led her there. At the center of it – Gators coach Kelly Rae Finley, who has been caring of Me’Arah ever since her first visit to the college. 

“My decision to become a Gator, I mean, there’s a lot that goes with it, but just how family-oriented everyone was. Kelly, she’s just a different type of coach that I’ve came across. She’s very caring. It was really everything outside of basketball. Everyone is so family-oriented here. It was very important to me,” Me’Arah said.

The 18-year-old had a box full of college offers last summer after a few of her tournament performances. She would initially narrow it down to 8 colleges – LSU, Florida, Baylor, Kentucky, Cal, Arizona State, Georgia Tech, and Tennessee. But after a visit to the second one on the list, she was stuck with two favorites. In the end, it was Finley who eased the decision for her. 

With Shaq and her brother Shareef both associated with LSU, the program was a heavy favorite on the 17-year-old’s list. But when she visited Florida, it wasn’t one sided. Finley also was determined to have Me’Arah on the squad.

“Her willingness to learn, her eagerness to want to be the best, and her ability to want to approach what she’s doing knowing she’s in a good environment. If she just puts her best foot forward every day, she’s going to be a tremendous player,” Finley had said via First Coast News. She had a few conversations with Me’Arah and says it was easy to bring her on board because the program was ‘genuine and meant what they said’.

Me’Arah herself had felt ‘belonged’ on the first visit and the coach’s care had only added to it, she revealed in November. LSU Tiger or Gator, Shaq is here watch his daughter soar.

Shaquille O’Neal has high hopes for his daughter

As he mentioned before, Shaq allows his kids to make their own decisions and encourages them to work hard to establish their own identities. With the way Me’Arah has progressed, he only looks ahead to a future tag his daughter is going to adorn. 

“I don’t like to put pressure on my babies, but she works out with my sons and I think it’s fair to say one day, if she continues, Me’Arah will probably be the best women’s basketball player ever,” the Los Angeles Lakers legend said.

In her senior year, Me’Arah led her Episcopal High School basketball team to an SPC Championship. Earlier this year, she was also named to the McDonald’s All-American Game and averaged 7.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists in just under 20 minutes per game competing in the AAU with the Texas EYBL team CyFair Elite. 

Me’Arah is all set to show her best game with the Gators.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.