Shaquille O’Neal’s daughter Me’arah O’Neal has been making waves recently due to her outstanding performance in the 2023 Nike Girls Elite Youth Girls Basketball Tournament. She played with her team, Nike affiliate CYFAIR Elite Sports, and her father blessed her with his appearance.
The 17-year-old posted pictures from the tournament on social media, and some captured her hugging her father, who was there to support her. Basketball lovers were happy to see it, and they took to the comment section to celebrate the father‐daughter bond.
One fan quickly noted that the retired NBA star “was trying to hold back the tears,” while another pointed out how great it was that he was out there for his daughter.
Keep reading to learn all we know about Me’arah O’Neal, one of Big Shaq’s protégé.
Who Is Me’arah O’Neal?
Me’arah O’Neal is known as the youngest O’Neal kid. She was born on May 1, 2006, and has five siblings, including one sister her dad shares with an ex-girlfriend and one brother her mother, Shaunie, had from a previous relationship.
She has three older brothers, Myles, Shareef, Shaqir, and two older sisters, Taahirah and Amirah. Me’arah attended Crossroads School in Santa Monica, California. She is following in her father’s footsteps by playing basketball.
Unsurprisingly, she chose to because she has the talent and passion for the sport, just like her brother Shareef. As a freshman, Me’arah started in 24 games averaging 5.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 2.5 blocks per game. With her skills, she led her team to a 19-5 record and gave them a shot at the state quarterfinals.
The 17-year-old, who attends Episcopal High School, is about 6’3″ tall and, like her father, holds the center position.
What Is Me’arah O’Neal Up To?
Me’arah recently ended her extracurricular basketball program, CyFair Elite Sports. To mark the end of her time with the CyFair team in July 2023, Me’arah shared photos of herself on the court via Instagram.
She captioned it: “It’s officially all over… real bittersweet man imma miss it, words cannot explain how grateful I am… CyFair, I love you, thank you… #13 out.”
Me’arah is due to play college basketball in 2024. She has received multiple university offers, including LSU, UCLA, TCU, Virginia University, and Howard University. Many suspect LSU might be her choice because her father studied there, and it is home to college basketball star Angel Reese but only time will tell.
What Does Me’arah O’Neal Do?
Me’arah O’Neal is shaping up to be a great basketball player, and she already has some accolades to prove it. It has been some time since she received an offer from UCLA women’s basketball, but if that is not enough to prove her worth, there’s more.
Me’arah has also received a three-star post-player rating in ESPN’s 2024 women’s basketball recruiting class rankings. This means that she has already created a demand for her skill, which is why many universities are lining up to offer her a scholarship even though she has yet to graduate.
Me’arah O’Neal on Her Father and His Influence on Her Life
Given the legacy her father has left behind as an NBA great and his influence in the sport, it is not hard for his shadow to swallow up his kid’s accomplishments. However, while discussing her dad and his impact on her life in a past interview, Me’arah made a bold statement to all who listened.
She said, “It was good; it was definitely something special. I learned not to hide it, just embrace it, and to make sure that everybody knows I am just like that. I am no special kid or nothing. It is just me.”
Shaquille O’Neal and Fatherhood
Shaquille O’Neal made a name for himself playing basketball, but his best accomplishment is being a father to his kids.
He enjoys spending time with all of them and is excellent at spoiling them, especially on special occasions like Christmas. The former NBA player once confessed that for Christmas, he becomes “Shaq-a-Claus,” who gives the kids “everything they want.com.”
However, despite his love for them, Shaquille O’Neal ensures they can stand independently. While generous with gifts, he hopes they can prove themselves before he decides to help their respective careers.
