Shaquille O’Neal always has fashioned himself as the beloved gentle giant who will give the shirt off his back for others. But what if it is just a facade to hide and conceal his true intentions?
This rising suspicion comes from his Oct. 24 appearance on Angel Reese’s Unapologetically Angel podcast, where he made cringe-worthy comments about his protégé and fellow LSU basketball alum.
In a discussion about lowering the rims so WNBA players can dunk the ball, O’Neal, 52, made reference to the Chicago Sky forward’s recent fashion choices while on the Wild ‘N Out Live Tour in Chicago.
“Imagine you in the same little shorts you had on at the Wild ‘N Out show dunking,” he said. “You know how many t-shirts you’re gonna sell?” Reese was clearly uncomfortable when she responded, “Oh my god.” She then proceeded to try to change the topic. O’Neal followed by saying to Reese, “You’re not beautiful or good-looking, you are gorgeous. There is a lot of gorgeous women in the WNBA.”
O’Neal has received a tremendous amount of backlash for seeming to sexualize Reese. Some went as far to accuse Reese of “sexualizing herself,” ignoring the fact no matter what anyone choses to the wear, they are not asking for anything sexual.
Since Reese emerged as a basketball phenomenon at LSU, O’Neal has been at her side. She has referred to him as a “father figure” who is looking out for her and her best interest. O’Neal completely betrayed such a title with his words. As a famous grown man, he should know better than to make comments that are problematic at best, creepy at worst. As if Reese hasn’t had to endure enough abuse from trolls on social media who have made racist threats towards her and her family, she now has to put up with such behavior from a man she trusts.
And for O’Neal, this isn’t an isolated incident. He has made similar remarks about other women in the past. In 2001, he made bogus claims he had sexual relations with the late singer Aaliyah, supermodel Cindy Crawford and tennis star Venus Williams. His sexism doesn’t stop there. In 2022, he said his sons should leave the house once they turn 18, but his daughters can stay at home as long as they want. Men can be independent, but women cannot?
On Reese’s podcast, he also suggested that the WNBA needs to lower the rim so players can dunk and draw more people to the game. The idea is not only patently sexist, but also has proven to be unnecessary. The WNBA, along with women’s basketball more broadly, is in the midst of a renaissance. Television viewership is up, merchandise sales are soaring and arenas are filling up. There is a great emphasis on the fundamentals, hard-nose defense and the purity of shooting the ball. Reese has shown herself to be a high-caliber player, setting records in rebounding and double-doubles records as a rookie.
Because of her play, Reese has an endless stream of possibilities ahead of her, including with Reebok. She recently extended her multi-year endorsement deal and is set to debut a signature shoe in 2026. That O’Neal is the president of Reebok basketball, however, makes the podcast appearance even more potentially problematic.
This not to accuse O’Neal of any act of impropriety without evidence. This is saying he needs to grow up and act like a man. A real man doesn’t make comments that are sexual in nature to a significantly younger person who they are trying to help. A father figure is supposed to protect, not prey.
