Andrew Pace
Fans of VH1's 'Basketball Wives' were curious to know which cast member had open-heart surgery. It was later revealed that it was Shaunie O'Neal's 19-year-old son, Shareef O'Neal, who underwent the procedure in December 2018. Shareef, a basketball player himself, was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat and a heart condition that could have turned life-threatening if left untreated.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Shareef O'Neal |
| Parents | Shaq O'Neal and Shaunie O'Neal |
| Age at the time of surgery | 19 |
| Year of surgery | 2018 |
| Sports team | UCLA Bruins |
| Diagnosis | Anomalous coronary artery |
| Current health status | Recovered |
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What You'll Learn
Shareef O'Neal's corrective heart surgery
Shareef O'Neal, son of NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal, underwent open-heart surgery in December 2018. O'Neal, a college basketball star, was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect affecting his coronary artery. This condition, which he had since birth, could have turned life-threatening if left untreated.
O'Neal's journey with his condition began in September 2018 when he said he was feeling funny after a basketball practice. A heart monitor tracking his vitals during practice revealed that he had an irregular heartbeat. Following this discovery, O'Neal was faced with two options: stop playing sports to keep his heart rate down or undergo open-heart surgery. He chose the latter, understanding the risks involved and the possibility that he might never play basketball again.
The surgery and subsequent rehabilitation were challenging for O'Neal. He had to spend months in rehabilitation, during which he lost a significant amount of weight and had to re-learn how to walk. In an Instagram post in March 2019, O'Neal's mother, Shaunie, revealed that he had fully recovered and been "cleared with no limitations." O'Neal also shared his emotions on social media, expressing how he felt "defeated" after the surgery but was grateful for his family's support.
O'Neal's experience inspired him to join the fight against heart disease and stroke. He has since raised funds for the American Heart Association through his Heart Month NFT collection. O'Neal's fundraising campaign aims to support the Association's mission of driving equitable health for all and improving and saving lives from heart disease and stroke.
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Shareef's mother Shaunie O'Neal speaks about his condition
Shareef O'Neal, the son of Basketball Wives star Shaunie O'Neal, underwent open-heart surgery in December 2018. The surgery was required to correct an anomalous coronary artery, a condition that could have proven life-threatening if left untreated.
Shaunie O'Neal, the ex-wife of basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal and the mother of his five children, has spoken candidly about her son's health scare. In an episode of the VH1 series "Basketball Wives," she shared:
> " [It's] an artery that just grows in the wrong place. He was born with it. He could've died from it. They let us know Shareef needed open-heart surgery. That made my heart break.."
Shaunie also took to Instagram to express her thoughts and emotions as a mother facing her child's major surgery. In a post, she wrote:
> "If only I could take his place today. Could I at least go with him in that operating room and hold his hand. Separating from him as he was wheeled off to surgery was heartbreaking."
Shareef himself has also praised his mother for her unwavering support during his health scare. In an Instagram post, he shared a series of photos of his mother and family, expressing his gratitude for her presence throughout his journey:
> "She knows everything she's done for me, 19 years and never left my side... Always the one to pick me up if I'm ever down. Stayed with me every night in the hospital and didn't get any sleep. Couldn't ask for a better mama! When I make it, it's all for her. Everything is for her."
Thankfully, Shareef has since made a full recovery and was "cleared with no limitations" as of March 2019. Shaunie has continued to advocate for young athletes to receive comprehensive screenings to ensure early detection and treatment of any potential health issues.
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Shareef's road to recovery
Shareef O'Neal, the son of Shaunie O'Neal, a star on Basketball Wives, underwent open-heart surgery in December 2018. The surgery was corrective, addressing an anomalous coronary artery that he had been born with. This condition, which caused an irregular heartbeat, was detected during a routine sports check-up when Shareef reported feeling "funny" after basketball practice.
Shareef's mother, Shaunie, shared her concerns on an episode of Basketball Wives, expressing her worry that her son "could've died" if the condition had gone undiagnosed. She also posted about her son's surgery on Instagram, calling it "one of the toughest moments of being a mom" and expressing her heartbreak at the prospect of Shareef going into major surgery.
Shareef himself also shared his feelings on social media, acknowledging the emotional impact of the surgery and the importance of his family's support. He expressed gratitude for his mother's unwavering dedication and credited her as his primary motivation.
The experience also inspired Shaunie to advocate for better screenings for young athletes, recognising the importance of early detection and treatment in ensuring positive outcomes.
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Shareef's family's support
Shareef O'Neal, the son of Shaunie O'Neal, a star on Basketball Wives, underwent open-heart surgery in December 2018. Shaunie opened up about her son's condition on the show, revealing that he had an anomalous coronary artery, a life-threatening condition that could have resulted in his death if left undiagnosed and untreated.
Shareef's mother, Shaunie, has been a constant source of support for him throughout his health journey. She was by his side during his surgery and recovery, offering love and encouragement. In an Instagram post, Shareef expressed his gratitude and love for his mother, acknowledging her unwavering dedication and presence during his health scare. Shaunie also took to Instagram to share her feelings and experiences as a mother during this challenging time, expressing her heartbreak and worry for her son.
The O'Neal family has received an outpouring of love and support from the public. Shaunie, in particular, has been praised for her strength and dedication as a mother. In an Instagram post in March 2019, she expressed her gratitude towards her followers for their continuous messages of support and love during this trying time for their family. She also emphasised her commitment to advocating for young athletes to receive the best medical screenings to ensure their health and well-being.
Shareef's father, Shaq O'Neal, has also been a source of support and guidance for his son. Shareef has mentioned relying on his father for tips about recovery and returning to basketball. The family's strong bond and support for each other have been evident throughout Shareef's journey, and they continue to be a source of strength and encouragement for him.
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Shareef's return to basketball
Shareef O'Neal, the son of Shaunie O'Neal, a star of VH1's *Basketball Wives*, underwent open-heart surgery in December 2018. The then-19-year-old had an anomalous coronary artery, a condition he was born with, which, if left untreated, could have been life-threatening.
Shareef's road to recovery was an emotional one. In the aftermath of his surgery, he took to social media to share his feelings of defeat and how he felt he "couldn't do it". However, he also expressed gratitude for his family's support, especially his mother, Shaunie, who was by his side throughout his health scare. In an Instagram post, he wrote, "When I make it, it's all for her. Everything is for her."
By March 2019, Shareef had made a full recovery and was "cleared with no limitations". He returned to playing basketball, this time with the UCLA Bruins. Shaunie also shared that she would continue to advocate for young athletes to "get the best screenings".
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Frequently asked questions
Shaunie O'Neal's son, Shareef O'Neal, underwent open-heart surgery in December 2018.
Shareef had an irregular heartbeat and an anomalous coronary artery, which, if left untreated, could have been life-threatening.
Shareef has said that he felt "defeated" after his surgery, but he has also praised his mother for being by his side and thanked his followers for their support. In March 2019, Shaunie revealed that Shareef had fully recovered and was "cleared with no limitations".
