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Ok so I don't know about you but like most 20-somethings from Southern California I was raised on the Lakers early 2000's NBA championship three-peat team. And that means that any Shaq news is good news to me.
This latest bit of news comes in the form of Shaq's son Shareef O'Neal allegedly being offered a scholarship to play basketball for USC. Though only a rising sophomore, according to Shareef's twitter USC decided to extend an offer to the young star two weeks ago, in a move that will most likely be followed by many of the school's competitors.
Currently, Shareef plays Forward for Windward High School right here in LA, an extremely competitive program that's already earned a spot at the 2015 MaxPreps Holiday Classic in Palm Springs this winter.
Here's a list of reasons why I hope this actually happens, and Shareef O'Neal comes to play for the Trojans in 2018.
- He's good. Shareef was only a freshman this past season, and according to MaxPreps he's already averaging 3.7 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. At a towering 6'7" Shareef would be an asset to any team, especially with room left for personal growth and development.
- Shaq would probably come watch him play. Like at least once. Can you imagine Shaq hanging out in Galen Center? I can and it's awesome.
- Assistant Coach Shaq? Ok that's pretty unlikely to happen but you never know! Shaq has made some interesting career moves before! Like move to Miami or become a TV analyst or sell IcyHot.
- He's already in LA! Not like that's a tried and true method for figuring out what college athletics program a teenager is going to decide on, just look how well that turned out for fellow celebrity father/son duo Snoop Dogg and Cordell Broadus - but you never know! Being close to home is definitely an important factor for some people.
- Potentially more lighthearted father/son competition, like the one talked about in this TMZ video.