Big prospect out of high school, Shareef O’Neal has since experienced a more difficult course. But at 22, the time may have come for the Shaq’s son, who is running for the upcoming Draft. In preparation for this event, the interior will dispute workouts with several franchises, including… the Lakers. Well, that reminds us of something.
Two weeks before the 2022 Draft ceremony, the lights are turned on the prospects who are chaining the workouts with NBA franchises but some are more talked regarding than others. And as much to tell you that when your name is O’Neal, it’s complicated to go unnoticed. So when Jovan Buha, journalist at The Athletic, tells us that the son of Shaq will participate in a workout with the team that made the legend of his daronthe hype is quite high. However, we cannot say that the big hope of high school has confirmed in his university career. It must be said that he was not helped by his body, since he had to undergo a major heart operation before his arrival in the NCAA, which caused him to lose a year. Despite this setback, Shareef made his debut with the UCLA program in the 2019-2020 season, before joining Louisiana State University and the Tigers where he will spend his last two years. A three-year course that didn’t really see him shine, with rather disappointing overall statistics (2.6 points, 3 rebounds and 0.1 assists in 11 minutes), and we can’t say either that the guy distinguished himself by his address with a small 40.5% in shooting including 20.8% in 3-point and 48% in throws, thank you dad for the private lessons on the line. But even with that, and despite an administrative concern that might have prevented him from participating, O’Neal decided to maintain his participation in the next Draft.
Draft prospect Shareef O’Neal has an upcoming workout set with the Lakers, sources tell @TheAthletic. O’Neal worked out for the Bucks today and has scheduled visits to Cleveland, Atlanta and Washington among others. @ShamsCharania reported this week that O’Neal is draft eligible.
– Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) June 10, 2022
Obviously, the son of Shaq still arouses a little interest since several franchises have decided to give him training to meet him and see more closely what he is capable of. And guess who is at the top of the list? Yes, the Los Angeles Lakers “from Dad”. If this appointment is far from ensuring a place in the NBA next season, and even less in California, the symbol of the son approached by his father’s historic franchise is always nice. But the hardest part begins for the strong winger, who will have to convince the franchises of his potential to make people forget his rather… anonymous university career.. And on that, he will have at least several opportunities to stand out since apart from the Angelinos, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Atlanta and Washington have also scheduled sessions with him. After this series of meetings will come the time of the Draft, where the prospect is not expected very high. According to the experts, he might still be drafted in the second part of the second round by a franchise which would make a bet in the hope of being able to develop it.
After a difficult journey since leaving high school, Shareef O’Neal sees the end of the tunnel. Invited to workouts by several franchises including that of his glorious daron, he will have to prove himself to win a place in the Great League. Next step for the prospect, the Draft which arrives in two weeks.
Sources : The Athletic, CBS Sports, ESPN
