Shaquille O’Neal Reveals He Has to Hold Tears Back When Watching Daughter Me’Arah O’Neal Play

NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal's youngest daughter, Me'Arah is the best basketball player amongst all his children.

Shaquille O’Neal Reveals He Has to Hold Tears Back When Watching Daughter Me’Arah O’Neal Play

Shaquille O'Neal's daughter Me'Arah O'Neal plays for the Florida Gators (Image via FirstSportz)

Shaquille O’Neal does not need an introduction after a Hall of Fame career in basketball came about after dominating the league for nearly two decades. Now, as a 53-year-old, he continues working with Inside the NBA, while also looking out for his children.

He tried to get his children all the help needed to follow in his footsteps. Oldest son, Shareef O’Neal, came close to getting into the NBA. However, he was not anywhere close to his father in terms of either skill or physicality, and ended up playing in the G-League.

Even though his other children tried, none of them could continue the genes the most dominant player in NBA history had. However, his youngest child, daughter Me’Arah O’Neal, could change that. She just finished her freshman year with the Florida Gators.

She was the 31st-ranked player in the class of 2024 girls’ recruitment and has gone on to become an important part of the Gators’ rotation despite being a freshman. Her father, while speaking with fellow former NBA star Zach Randolph, said this about his daughter:

When I go watch her play, I damn near want to cry. But you know I have to keep my composure. She’s really freaking good.

Shaquille O’Neal said on his podcast

The four-time NBA champion has watched his daughter go from becoming a McDonald’s All-American, just like himself, to becoming an important part of the Florida Gators rotation. She was so good that some of her fellow top recruits, with her comparable height and skill, transferred out to other programs.

Shaquille O’Neal finds some problems in Me’Arah O’Neal’s game

O’Neal has caught a lot of heat for being too critical of current generation players. He has clarified why he does that, as he only wants them to be better. Maybe that was the reason why he too pointed out problems in Me’Arah O’Neal’s game while on his podcast.

Shaquille O'Neal with Me'Arah O'Neal after she was named a McDonald's All-American
Shaquille O’Neal with Me’Arah O’Neal after she was named a McDonald’s All-American (Image via People)

The only thing I don’t like about her is that she’s like these new age kids, they play at their own pace. If she had a turnover, she won’t sprint back on defense. She will just play at her own pace.

Shaquille O’Neal said

The Big Aristotle has a point here, as one of the primary criticisms college basketball analysts had with his daughter’s game was the lack of motivation to get back on defense. The Gators guard/forward has the skills to be a top defender, but takes her time to get back to stop the opponents whenever it is in transition.

Me’Arah already possesses a smooth jumper and can shoot from anywhere on the court. She also knows how to use her size and strength when inside the paint. All she needs to do is fix her transition defense, and she could become one of the better players in college basketball.

Shaquille O’Neal could see his daughter play in the WNBA

O’Neal’s dream was to see one or more of his children play professionally in America. His other son, Shaqir O’Neal, plays for Sacramento State under former NBA star Mike Bibby. However, the former league MVP knows it is Me’Arah who has the best chance of playing professionally in America.

She will be a sophomore next season, which means more playing time. With that and constant in-game repetition, the 19-year-old can look to build off her freshman campaign, and more notably, work on improving her game.

If she can keep her development on point, there may be quite a few teams in the WNBA who need a versatile 6′ 4″ athlete with varying skills. O’Neal can take her progression seriously and look to become one of the top draft picks in the 2028 WNBA Draft.

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