Kristian Ferrell
Shaunie O'Neal's son, Shareef, underwent open-heart surgery in 2019, which was documented on the reality TV series *Basketball Wives*. Shaunie, who is the wife of Shaquille O'Neal, offered an update on her son's condition following his operation. Shareef, who plays for the UCLA Bruins, was diagnosed with a heart condition in 2018, which caused him to take a break from basketball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Shareef O'Neal |
| Occupation | Basketball Player |
| Known For | Starring in Basketball Wives |
| Health | Had open-heart surgery in 2018, fully recovered by 2019 |
| Family | Son of Shaunie O'Neal and Shaquille ("Shaq") O'Neal |
| Education | UCLA Bruins, Crossroads School in Santa Monica, Louisiana State University |
| Career | Played for the UCLA Bruins, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA G League Ignite |
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What You'll Learn
Shareef O'Neal's open-heart surgery
Shareef O'Neal, son of NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal, underwent open-heart surgery in 2018 at the age of 18. O'Neal, a college basketball player for the UCLA Bruins, was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect affecting his coronary artery, which could have become life-threatening if left untreated. The condition caused an artery to grow in the wrong place, a condition known as an anomalous coronary artery.
Following the surgery, O'Neal spent months in rehabilitation, having to re-learn how to walk. He has spoken about the mental strain of his recovery and the impact the surgery had on his family. In an Instagram post, he wrote about his mother's unwavering support: "She knows everything she's done for me, 19 years and never left my side [...] When I make it, it's all for her. Everything is for her."
O'Neal has also credited his father, Shaquille, for giving him the best advice he's ever received while he was recovering in the hospital. He has said that his father's words of wisdom were key in helping him navigate his transition back into playing basketball professionally. In an interview, O'Neal shared his mindset: "It sounds really simple, but at that time, it was like, oh yeah, whatever I believe I can do, I can do it. So, you know, I kind of stuck with that mindset too."
O'Neal's mother, Shaunie, has also been open about her son's health condition and his road to recovery. In an episode of "Basketball Wives," Shaunie offered an update on her son's condition and shared her experience as a mother during his health scare. Shaunie also thanked her followers for their continuous messages of support and love for the family.
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O'Neal's basketball career
Shareef O'Neal, born on January 11, 2000, is the son of Shaq, who plays for the Stockton Kings as a forward. O'Neal's basketball career began in his freshman year at Windward School in Los Angeles, where he played the forward position. In his first season, O'Neal's playing time was limited as the team's six seniors received the most minutes. Despite this, he gained online popularity through his highlight videos, even appearing in The Washington Post.
During his sophomore year, O'Neal's performance improved significantly. In October 2015, he scored 23 points in a game against Bishop Alemany at a tournament featuring top high school teams. Following this, O'Neal received several scholarship offers from Division I programs, including UCLA, LSU, and USC. In April 2017, he committed to playing college basketball for Arizona. However, due to allegations of the coach discussing paying a player to sign with Arizona, O'Neal decommitted and instead signed with UCLA in August 2018, taking a medical redshirt year due to health issues. During this time, he underwent heart surgery to address an irregular heartbeat discovered during a routine sports check-up.
In the 2019-20 season, O'Neal made his UCLA debut, playing six minutes without scoring. His most notable performance that season came against Notre Dame, where he scored eight points and had 11 rebounds. However, he left UCLA in January 2020, transferring to Louisiana State University (LSU), where his father had played college basketball. O'Neal's playing time at LSU was impacted by a foot injury, limiting him to 10 games in the 2020-21 season.
O'Neal played in four games for the Los Angeles Lakers at the 2022 NBA Summer League, shooting 44.4% from the floor. On October 18, 2024, he signed with the Sacramento Kings but was waived the next day.
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O'Neal's family
Shaquille O'Neal, also known as Shaq, is a former basketball player and the father of Shareef O'Neal. Shareef is a basketball player himself, playing for the UCLA Bruins. In 2018, Shareef underwent open-heart surgery after doctors discovered he had an irregular heartbeat. Following his surgery, Shareef praised his mother, Shaunie O'Neal, for being by his side and expressed his gratitude for his family's support. Shaunie also offered updates on Shareef's condition following his surgery on the reality TV show "Basketball Wives", where she is one of the stars. Shaunie and Shaquille were married in 2002 and divorced in 2009, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for their separation. They had four children together.
Shaquille O'Neal's mother, Lucille O'Neal, has also been a pillar of support throughout his life. She is a wellness coach and author, promoting healthy living. Shaquille also has a third son, Shaqir O'Neal, born in 2003, and a daughter, Me'arah O'Neal, born in 2006, who is the youngest of the O'Neal siblings.
The O'Neal name has also appeared in the TV show "The Real O'Neals", which aired on ABC from 2016 to 2017. The show is based on the childhood experiences of writer and executive producer Dan Savage, who grew up in a devoutly Catholic Irish-American family. It follows the day-to-day life of a dysfunctional yet close Chicago Catholic family, the O'Neals, whose matriarch, Eileen, and her husband, Pat, are seeking a divorce. The show received some criticism from Christian right groups before its debut due to Savage's views on religion, sexuality, and same-sex marriage.
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O'Neal's health scare
Shareef O'Neal, the son of Shaunie O'Neal, who stars in Basketball Wives, underwent open-heart surgery in 2018. Shaunie opened up about her son's heart condition, which caused him to take a break from playing basketball at UCLA. After practice one day, Shareef said he was "feeling funny", which led to a check-up with doctors. They discovered that he had an irregular heartbeat, which could have become life-threatening if left untreated.
Shareef's mother, Shaunie, played a pivotal role in his recovery, staying by his side throughout his health scare. In an Instagram post, Shareef expressed his gratitude for his mother's unwavering support: "She knows everything she's done for me, 19 years and never left my side... Couldn't ask for a better mama! When I make it, it's all for her. Everything is for her."
Following his surgery, Shareef O'Neal made a full recovery and was "cleared with no limitations". In an Instagram post in March 2019, Shaunie shared the good news and thanked her followers for their continuous support during a challenging time for the O'Neal family. She also advocated for young athletes to receive the best screenings to detect potential health issues early on.
Shareef O'Neal's health scare brought attention to the importance of routine check-ups and screenings for athletes. It also highlighted the crucial role that family support plays in an individual's recovery process. In addition to his mother's support, Shareef also credited his father, Shaquille O'Neal, for playing a significant role in his recovery and transition back to basketball. With their support, Shareef was able to successfully recover from his surgery and return to pursuing his passion for the sport.
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O'Neal's recovery
Shareef O'Neal, son of Shaunie O'Neal, underwent open-heart surgery in 2018. Shaunie, who is known for her role in the reality TV show 'Basketball Wives', revealed in an Instagram post in March 2019 that her son had made a full recovery and was "cleared with no limitations".
O'Neal's road to recovery began in September 2018 when he complained of feeling unwell after a basketball practice session. Doctors discovered that he had an irregular heartbeat, which, if left untreated, could have become life-threatening. The condition forced O'Neal, a promising young basketball player, to take a break from the sport.
Following his recovery, O'Neal went on to play college basketball and joined the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2022 NBA Summer League. He then signed with the NBA G League Ignite as a veteran player in September 2022, continuing his basketball career and leaving his health scare behind.
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Frequently asked questions
Shareef O'Neal is the son of Shaunie O'Neal, who is one of the stars of Basketball Wives. He is a basketball player, having played for the UCLA Bruins, Crossroads School in Santa Monica, and Louisiana State University.
In 2018, Shareef O'Neal underwent open-heart surgery. He has since made a full recovery and returned to playing basketball.
Shaunie O'Neal gave an update on her son Shareef's condition following his open-heart surgery.
