“I can help you get to that next level,” said Shaquille O’Neal once about mentoring, and has stayed true to his words. The seven-footer’s journey as a mentor started with his support of Chicago Sky’s power forward and LSU sensation Angel Reese. He used his connections to help the No. 5 secure lucrative endorsement deals, including a partnership with Reebok to become the very face of women’s basketball, a brand O’Neal himself has been associated with for decades. Now it seems that O’Neal has sailed on the same mentoring boat once again.

In a recent tweet by Nick DePaula, it was revealed that the top prospect of the 2026 class, Nate Ament, has signed an NIL and NBA shoe deal with the $2.5 billion brand: Reebok. O’Neal, who is the president of Reebok basketball, had nothing but praise for the young power forward. “I’m so excited to welcome Nate into the Reebok family. He’s a great kid who comes from an amazing family, and he’s got superstar potential on the court,” said Shaquille O’Neal.

Why Shaq talked so highly of Ament is quite understandable. The 17-year-old from Manassas, Virginia, is just beginning his senior season at Highland High School. He is a five-star recruit in the class of 2025 and has ranked fourth on ESPN’s esteemed Top 100 list and is also believed to be the third overall prospect in 2026. The power forward showcased his skills and became an MVP at the SLAM Summer Classic which drew the interest of the sneaker brands.

But it seems like Ament always had a preference for Reebok. “Reebok has everything I need as a young basketball player to take my game to the next level. Shaq and A.I. – all my dreams have been lived out by these legends, so to have them as a resource is exciting,” said Ament about the Reebok deal and also about the president, vice president of Reebok basketball.

For Angel Reese, O’Neal’s mentorship shows his commitment to nurturing young talent in basketball. Recognizing the No. 5’s exceptional skills on the court and her potential off it, O’Neal took a personal interest in her development. The uncle-niece connection not only boosted Reese’s financial prospects but also provided her with invaluable insights into the business side of professional sports.

The amount of support that Shaq had shown to Reese, resulted in her regarding him as her ‘father figure’. “He’s super inspiring to me. He’s so genuine, he’s been there for me through tough times. He just gets it, and there’s not a more perfect person for me to be tight with,” said Reese once about the LA Lakers icon.

With O’Neal’s help, the young power forward signed an NIL deal with Reebok in 2023. However, she got her big break in the sneaker world back in May of this year when she announced that she would be launching her very own shoe line and apparel collection with Reebok. The shoe line consisted of three sneakers in a Silver/Always Blue-White colorway based on Reebok’s Premier Road Plus VI, BB 4000 II, and Classic Leather silhouettes.

On the other hand, the clothing line consisted of an always Blue” 7/8 bodysuit, an Angel Lux Contour Crop Top, and Bike Shorts in shimmering silver chrome. This ‘Reebok by Angel’ initiative was inspired by Reese’s style on and off the court. The 22-year-old was also debuting her new shoe the Reebok “Engine A” during a game on Aug. 30 at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago.

O’Neal’s continued investment in young talent speaks volumes about his character and his vision for the future of sports. By identifying and nurturing the next generation of superstars, he’s not just securing his own legacy but also shaping the landscape of athletics for years to come. However, there was one time when Reese regretted one decision she took regarding her mentor.

When Angel Reese lost her entire one-year salary

In a surprising twist, the Chicago Sky’s power forward former star basketball player from LSU, Angel Reese lost her entire annual salary in a bet against NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal. The wager, which took place during a casual conversation, involved a simple task.

Reese, who has been known for her competitive spirit in the WNBA, challenged the seven-footer to make a free throw. To her surprise, the Los Angeles Lakers standout effortlessly passed the ball through the hoop just three seconds after she made the bet. The video was eventually posted by the power forward on her Instagram Story and had the caption, “I guess I owe him $100,000.”

Reese signed a four-year contract of $324,383 so this bet amount was kind of hefty for her. However, even though she lost the bet this time, she was happy about the things that her mentor O’Neal had done. It is for Shaq’s guidance and Reese’s determination that the young power forward scored an average of 13.6 PPG and 13.1 rebounds this season. Reese will forever be grateful for what Shaq has done for her.