Shareef O’Neal has signed a six-figure deal with the G League Ignite program after playing with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2022 NBA Summer League. The son of NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal declared for the 2022 NBA Draft and went undrafted. He and his father publically disagreed about his departure from college and declaration for the NBA Draft. O’Neal impressed enough in the 2022 NBA Summer League to earn a deal with the NBA G League Ignite program. His ultimate goal is to play in the NBA one day, and this could get him closer to that.
After playing for the Lakers in Summer League, Shareef O’Neal – the son of Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal – is signing a six-figure contract with the NBA G League Ignite, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 25, 2022
Shareef O’Neal never quite cracked the main rotation of the UCLA Bruins or the LSU Tigers in his three seasons of college. In his junior year with the LSU Tigers, he averaged 2.9 points and 2.1 rebounds in just 9.2 minutes per game. It was clear that college just was not giving him the opportunity to get better and prepare for the NBA. With the G League Ignite program he should get a larger role and improve for the NBA.
Thank you LAKERS for the opportunity!?????? thank everyone who supported too????
— Shareef O’Neal (@SSJreef) July 17, 2022
The Los Angeles Lakers gave Shareef O’Neal a shot to showcase his ability against NBA and NBA G League talent. This G League Ignite deal will pay him six figures and allow him to work toward his dream of playing at the top level of basketball. Next year he will have another chance to play for an NBA team or head to an NBA G League team.
