Shaquille O’Neal’s Kid Announces Transfer Decision on Monday

Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports via Imagn Images

Shaquille O’Neal’s Kid Announces Transfer Decision on Monday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Will Chesanek | Last updated Apr 27, 2026 4:25 PM ET

Shaquille O’Neal is a larger-than-life figure, literally and metaphorically. Over his 19-year NBA career, O’Neal was one of the most dominant centers of all time. The 7-foot-1 former center had a tremendous career in the league. The 15-time All-Star won three NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers (2000, 2001, 2002) and one with the Miami Heat (2006).

Shaq thrived in his off-court endeavors during his playing career, and his profile only grew post-retirement. After joining Inside the NBA for the 2011-12 season, he became a mainstay on set with Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and host Ernie Johnson, where he remains to this day.

With O’Neal now 54 years old and his playing days well behind him, he remains involved with the NBA as a television personality. Another way the former MVP remains connected to the sport is through his children. His son Shareef O’Neal had a stint in professional basketball with the Sacramento Kings and in the G League with several teams.

Me’Arah O’Neal is Shaq's daughter and a women’s college basketball player who played her first two seasons for the Florida Gators. The 6-foot-4 guard played in 35 games as a freshman, but sparingly, averaging 13.6 minutes of action and scoring 4.8 points per game. In her sophomore season, O’Neal exploded on the scene, upping her points per game from 4.8 to 13.6, her rebounds from 3.9 to 6.4, and her field goal percentage from 42.5% to 52.7%.

On Monday, O’Neal went to social media to announce that she is transferring to the Kentucky Wildcats for the 2026-27 women’s college basketball season. On Instagram, she posted an image of herself in a Wildcats jersey with the words “Kentucky Committed” behind her. Also posted was a highlight video of her photoshoot with Kentucky set to the Rod Wave song “The Best.” O’Neal captioned the graphic, thanking the Most High for the opportunity.

“I give thanks to you that I was marvelously set apart,” O’Neal wrote. “Your works are wonderful—I know that very well. (Psalms 139:14) #agtg✝️ #llkb #llgb #committed @kentuckywbb”