“Like a daughter to me,” Shaquille O’Neal gets real about relationship with Angel Reese

NBA legend, Shaquille O'Neal has been making the headlines lately after his recent statements regarding Angel Reese.

“Like a daughter to me,” Shaquille O’Neal gets real about relationship with Angel Reese

Shaquille O'Neal and Angel Reese

The WNBA’s most anticipated matchup between the Indiana Fever vs. the Chicago Sky had it all. However, the main spotlight was on two particular players, the Fever’s Caitlin Clark and the Sky’s Angel Reese. Reese is one of the WNBA’s brightest talents, and NBA veteran Shaquille O’Neal was among the Chicago audience to cheer her on.

In addition, O’Neal, an NBA icon, has a close bond with Reese dating back to her time at LSU. He was considered one of her role models. Also, the Los Angeles Lakers veteran spoke highly of her as he watched her first WNBA game. However, it was Reese’s rival Clark who put on a breathtaking display against the Sky.

Before the game, O’Neal was thrilled to watch Reese and Clark participate in the game. O’Neal also spoke with the WNBA about his connection with Reese. He told the WNBA social media team, “Angel is like a daughter to me.” Before this statement, O’Neal also publicly stated that he is a ‘big fan’ of the Sky superstar.

On the other hand, Clark was on fire against the Sky and Reese. She dropped a whopping 31 points in her side’s win. In addition, Clark seems to be the favorite to win the 2024 ROTY Award in the WNBA this season.

Clark has also been one of her team’s most crucial players throughout the 2023-24 WNBA season. It remains to be seen now whether or not Reese turns the tides in her favor as this season progresses.

Angel Reese considers Shaquille O’Neal as ‘father figure’

Shaquille O’Neal and Angel Reese share a great relationship, with O’Neal serving as a mentor to Reese. Shaq was photographed with Reese at the LSU basketball team’s senior ceremony in March 2024, which astounded the NBA community. Reese also discussed her bond with the Los Angeles Lakers legend, considering him a ‘father figure.’

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...He just said people are gonna hate me, People are not gonna like me, people are gonna feel some type of way because they wish they were me, they're gonna judge me. He's (O'Neal) super inspiring to me and a father figure.
Angel Reese told Lindsay Schnell of USA Today

O’Neal has also been sighted backing Reese at WNBA matchups this season. He has made every attempt to help her along the road, giving her guidance on the sport. Now, with O’Neal’s direction, she must be the very best at what she does and strive to imitate the Lakers legend’s success.

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