It looks like the Los Angeles Lakers are signing yet another member of the O’Neal family.
There was some speculation about where Shareef O’Neal, son of Shaquille, would go in the NBA.
He was eligible for Thursday night’s NBA Draft but wasn’t selected by any team.
However, he did kind a home in the league – sort of.
Shareef O’Neal has agreed to play in NBA Summer League with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Another O’Neal big man in a Lakers uniform.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 24, 2022
O’Neal has agreed to play in the NBA Summer League with the Lakers, according to Shams Charania.
That means that O’Neal will play for the team that his father led for so many years – but will he have a career that looks anything like his dad’s?
Back To LA
From 1996 to 2004, O’Neal’s dad was a major part of the Lakers’ success and helped the team win three rings alongside Kobe Bryant.
Throughout his historic career, he averaged 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists.
We don’t know how his son will perform but all indications suggest he will never reach those heights.
During his time in college (at both UCLA and LSU), the younger O’Neal only averaged 2 points and has a lot of trouble making points.
He’s also not as big as his dad and doesn’t play in such a physical way.
Therefore, it remains to be seen how he would fit in on an NBA team, especially one in desperate need of help like the Lakers.
But that’s what the Summer League is all about: nurturing young talent that needs improvement, tweaking, and overall enhancements.
So maybe O’Neal will join LA’s Summer League squad and really come to life and figure out the game more.
If that happens, perhaps a life in the NBA really is in the cards for this son of basketball royalty.
NEXT: Photo Shows Shareef O'Neal In The Perfect Uniform
