Unlike her NBA legend father, Shaquille O'Neal, who towered his opponents at seven feet, Me'Arah O'neal plays guard with a height of six-foot-four. Shaq was famously known for being one of the most dominant players in NBA history with his unstoppable inside play at the center position, winning four total championships with the LA Lakers and Miami Heat.
Me'Arah, on the other hand, is carving out her own path playing primarily on the perimeter as a two-guard, ironically the position Shaq's Laker partner, Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, played during their championship runs.
As Me'Arah has plans of making it to the WNBA one day, so let's take a look at how the 18-year-old is performing in her first year with the Florida Gators.
Me'Arah O'Neal is writing her own story, which looks to be very different from her father's
When Me'Arah O'Neal committed to play for the Gators, it was a surprise to many that she didn't choose to go to the LSU Tigers, where her father Shaq was a star.
After a successful tenure at Episcopal High School, she is now playing out her freshman season in Florida. On the 2024-2025 calendar, O'Neal is posting up 7.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 1.0 blocks per game.
The Gators are currently ranked dead-last in the Southeastern division with a 3-3 record. The .500 standing comes off a close defeat to the Tulane Green Wave, 83-81 on Thursday.
This was O'Neal's return game after suffering an elbow to the face during their 83-73 win over the Miami Hurricanes on Nov. 16. As for the Tulane matchup, the combo guard finished with seven points, six rebounds, and two stocks.
Me'Arah O'Neal's best game of the season so far came in their 104-35 drubbing of the Chicago State Cougars on Nov. 12. O'Neal scored 18 points on an 8-for-12 shooting clip, snagged eight rebounds, dished out an assist, and got two stocks with no turnovers.
The Florida Gators next face the 5-2 James Madison Dukes on Friday at 3 p.m. EST at the Walter Athletic Complex for the continuation of the St. Peter Showcase. The game can be audio streamed via ESPN 98.1FM/850AM WRUF.
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