Top NBA Draft Prospect Praises Former Suns' All-Star, 'Shaq, That's Like My Uncle'

O'Neal, in recent years, has been the narrator and brand ambassador for the NBA G League docuseries The Break, presented by The General, which follows rising stars as they try to make their name in the NBA.

This year, he has taken guard Dink Pate under his wing, who currently plays in the G League for the Mexico City Capitanes. Last year, he suited up for the Ignite and became the youngest professional basketball player in North American history.

"Shaq, that's like my uncle," Pate told Inside the Suns. "He told me I can call him uncle. That's like my family now, and Shaq is a good mentor for me. He's been helping me out a lot."

Pate is expected to be drafted in the first round in 2025. In six games so far this season, he is averaging 10.2 points and two assists. At 6-8, he has the size to be an excellent defender and the court vision to run the offense.

The Suns don't own their first-round pick in 2025 and will be unlikely to draft him, but Pate's connection with O'Neal goes further than just on the court, it's a business relationship as well.

In October, Pate signed a shoe deal with Reebok, which O'Neal helped put on the map in 1992, before his rookie season with the Magic. After Pate's name is called, expect him to become a well-known name as he tries to take the NBA by storm.