Shaquille and Shaunie O’Neal’s son Shareef signs with UCLA to play basketball after Arizona scandal

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - AUGUST 07: Former NBA player Shaquille O'Neal (L) and son Shareef O'Neal at Apple Music Launch Party Carpool Karaoke: The Series with James Corden on August 7, 2017 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Apple) thegrio.com
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - AUGUST 07: Former NBA player Shaquille O'Neal (L) and son Shareef O'Neal at Apple Music Launch Party Carpool Karaoke: The Series with James Corden on August 7, 2017 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Apple)

Shaquille O’Neal’s son Shareef O’Neal chose UCLA as his school of choice in a surprising move after the senior stated that he planned to attend the University of Arizona.

Shareef O’Neal, a 6-foot-10 senior announced his intentions to attend UCLA, his coach Anthony Davis, said Tuesday.

On Monday Shareef O’Neal reportedly expanded his recruiting options after an ESPN report revealed that the University of Arizona coach Sean Miller allegedly discussed a $100,000 payment for center Wildcats center Deandre Ayton on an FBI wiretap.

Shareef tweeted: “At this time I’m am opening up my recruitment due to the current events with the UofA Bball team. I would like to thank all the coaches for recruiting me. At the time my family and I think it’s in my best interest to look at other options to assure my play in the NCAA next year.”

Tuesday night, Shareef’s parents expressed their joy over their son’s decision pretty on Twitter.

Shaq wrote: “Me and your mom @shaunieoneal5 are proud of you dude. This is the first of many steps to fulfill your dreams. #prouddad.”

Losing Ball

UCLA is looking to add some serious players to their basketball roster after losing star recruit LiAngelo Ball before the season even really began last year.

LaVar Ball reportedly removed his son, LiAngelo Ball, from the UCLA basketball team after LiAngelo and two other teammates were placed on indefinite suspension after getting arrested in China for shoplifting. The arrests sparked an international incident as NCAA officials, UCLA administrators and even President Trump stepped up to the plate to get the three basketball players released.

LaVar Ball believed that UCLA’s suspension of LiAngelo was unjust because the charges were ultimately dropped against his son so he took LiAngelo and his younger brother LaMelo overseas to play basketball with the Lithuanian team Vytautas.

 

SHARE THIS ARTICLE