Shaq's daughter Me'Arah O'Neal announces her transfer decision

Me'arah O'Neal. Alex Martin/Greenville News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Shaq's daughter Me'Arah O'Neal announces her transfer decision

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Darryn Albert | Last updated Apr 29, 2026 12:17 PM ET

Me’Arah O’Neal is officially headed to Big Blue Nation.

The 19-year-old Me’Arah announced to her Instagram page this week that she is transferring to the University of Kentucky.

Me’Arah entered the NCAA transfer portal earlier this month and is now set to play the 2026-27 season with the Wildcats.

A 6-foot-4 guard, Me’Arah is the daughter of retired basketball icon Shaquille O’Neal. She is one of six children that Shaq shares with his ex-wife Shaunie.

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Me’Arah played out the first two seasons of her collegiate career with Florida. As a sophomore last year for the Gators, Me’Arah had a strong individual showing too, averaging 13.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks per game as an everyday starter in the backcourt.

But Florida posted a mediocre record of 18-15 on the season and ended up firing head coach Kelly Rae Finley as a result. Meanwhile, Me’Arah is not sticking around for the Gators to right the ship and will instead be headed to play elsewhere in the SEC for Kentucky.

Me’Arah was already drawing attention at 13 years old for her impressive athleticism. Now Me’Arah is set to join a Wildcats team that went 25-11 last season and made it to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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