Me’Arah O’Neal delivered a standout performance in the SEC Tournament last week, drawing praise from her older brother, Shareef O’Neal.
The Florida Gators guard put up 22 points in the team’s first-round win over Mississippi State, one of her strongest games of the season.
The total also surpassed that of her father, Shaquille O’Neal, who scored 19 points in a single SEC Tournament game during his college career.
Speaking with ESPN, Shareef said he has long believed his sister is the best hooper in the family.
“Bro, Me’Arah the living legend. I’ve been saying, it’s proof on the internet. I’ve been saying Me’Arah was always the best hooper in the family. So she basically can say [that] she is the best college hooper in the family. So yeah, Me’Arah, you’re a legend.”
Me’Arah may not carry that title yet, but she continues to build an impressive résumé, averaging 13.4 points and 6.5 rebounds per game this season for the Gators.
Shaquille O’Neal has spoken about his daughter’s talent for years. During his Basketball Hall of Fame induction speech in 2016, the NBA icon said he tries not to place pressure on his children but believes Me’Arah has the potential to become one of the best.
“I don’t like to put pressure on my babies, but she works out with my sons, and I think it’s fair to say one day, if she continues, Me’Arah will probably be the best women’s basketball player ever,” Shaq said. “She’s that good.”
So far, Me’Arah is proving her dad right and she appears to be comfortable playing under pressure.
“My dad always tells me that pressure makes diamonds,” she told ESPN in 2024. “I try to keep that with me, especially in those moments where everyone is watching. I’m just trying to do me and make myself proud.”
Me’Arah still has two more years of college remaining, giving her time to continue developing her game before deciding what comes next in her basketball career.