Shareef O'Neal reveals father Shaq didn't want him entering NBA draft: 'He didn't like that idea at all'
Zac Al-Khateeb
•
Shareef O'Neal is just a day away from waiting to hear his name called in the 2022 NBA Draft. But his decision to test the NBA waters isn't one that sat well with his father, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal.
The younger O'Neal, a 6-10, 215-pound power forward, revealed how he and his father butted heads on his decision to leave college basketball and test the NBA waters. Following a workout with the Lakers — where Shaq won three NBA Finals — Shareef O'Neal on Tuesday revealed what his father thought of his decision.
"We kind of bump heads about this process," O'Neal said in a video news conference.
He wanted me to stay in school. I wanted to better myself through this.
"He knows I'm working out with teams. But I'm not going to lie, we ain't talked about this. I'm kind of just going through it. He didn't do any pre-draft workouts; he just got straight on the (Orlando Magic), so it's a different grind."
So, he didn't want me to do this, and I know he probably doesn't want me saying this, but sorry. We're both grown, we'll get past it.
Shaq, who left LSU after three seasons to turn pro in 1992, eventually returned to earn a bachelor of arts degree in general studies in 2000, by which time he was already a six-time NBA All-Star. He is currently listed as having a net worth of $400 million.
