Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark added a new chapter to their age-old rivalry. The game at Wintrust Arena set a WNBA record with an average ticket price of $334. Plus, the Sky also hosted a Barbie-themed night for this matchup. However, the result did not end in their favor, thanks to Fever’s #22 stat line of 31 points, and 12 assists. But this time, Reese had the support of her mentor Shaquille O’Neal, who was present courtside.

Surprisingly, it was the first game Shaq had ever attended since the LSU forward turned pro. Before the game, as he entered the sellout crowd of 9,445 people in attendance, the Los Angeles Lakers legend spoke about his bond with Reese, “She’s like a daughter to me. So, I’m gonna protect her, I’ll call her, and I’ll just mess with her. But she’s great, she’s our daughter.” 

Digging deep into the family connection of Shaquille O’Neal and Angel Reese

When she first entered the WNBA, Reese called Shaq a ‘father figure.’ That title was not just for the namesake. O’Neal was also invited to her LSU senior night to escort her. An honor usually reserved for parents, which Shaquille O’Neal performed a few weeks before for his daughter, Me’Arah O’Neal.

It was during the 18-year-old’s official visit in February 2023 that Reese and O’Neal’s bond was formed. Angel Reese was hosting Me’Arah for her official visit to LSU, which was also her father’s alma mater. The visit was before the Tigers faced the Mississippi State and the 3x NBA Finals MVP had a challenge for Reese. She obliged in the best way possible with 23 points and 26 rebounds for the set 20 points and rebounds challenge.

The Sky forward called Shaq “super-inspiring,” and even told the world how much he backs her. Reese said in an interview with USA Today, “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. We have fun, and if I need anything, he would help me … and he would do that even if I never played basketball again. He doesn’t care about me as a player, he cares about me as a person.”

One such tough period for her took place last year when she missed a couple of games for LSU. Coach Kim Mulkey and Reese refused to officially comment about the issue, and Shaquille O’Neal taught her an important lesson during the break, advising her to keep her social media activity in check to avoid scrutiny. Her stardom was continuously growing, and people would dissect anything she posted. But, it was just the beginning.

Angel Reese building a legacy just like Shaquille O’Neal

In 2023, the 4x NBA Champion alongside his Vice President Allen Iverson did not take time to settle into their new role. Reebok announced Reese as the shoe and athletic apparel company’s first major NIL deal under the new leadership. At the time, she was also promised her shoe line which landed this month.

Since her LSU days, the double-double queen has close to two dozen companies in brand partnerships. In the month of August, she announced three new partnerships Unapologetically Angel (podcast), Reebok x Angel collection, and Reese’s Pieces. All three partnerships have connections with the 52-year-old.

The rookie’s podcast is produced by Playmaker HQ, the same team behind Shaquille O’Neal’s The Big Podcast with Shaq. The Reebok connection is already explained and is well established. Her ‘Reese’s Pieces’ is in partnership with Hershey’s brand who have associations with more than 90 brands, including the gummies range with O’Neal.

They’re colleagues at Reebok and now also, the two Hersheys ambassadors are collaborating under The Big Podcast Network. It’s all looking a lot like a father-daughter empire now.

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.