Is Angel Reese Related To Shaq? The Truth Behind Her Viral Tweet

The short answer is no. Angel Reese and Shaquille O'Neal are not related by blood or marriage, but they share a bond as former and current LSU basketball players. Reese called O'Neal her uncle as a term of endearment, after he defended her from online critics who slammed her for taunting Iowa's Caitlin Clark in the NCAA championship game. O'Neal, who is an LSU legend and a Hall of Famer, praised Reese for leading the Tigers to their first women's basketball title and signed her as his first Reebok athlete.

The rumor started when Reese replied to a tweet from O'Neal, who clapped back at Dave Portnoy and Keith Olbermann for calling her a "classless piece of sh*t" and a "f***ing idiot", respectively. O'Neal told Portnoy to "shut your pie hole" and Olbermann to "shut up". Reese noticed that O'Neal defended her on Twitter and replied: "Yeah my uncle Shaq don't play bout me. Period."

Fans on social media quickly began to speculate if Reese and O'Neal are actually related, but they are not. Reese calling O'Neal her uncle was just a way of showing respect and gratitude to him, as he has been a mentor and a supporter of her throughout her college career.

This bond was showcased when O’Neal escorted Reese and her mother onto the court during LSU women’s basketball’s senior day ceremony. Their relationship began when Reese met Shaq at an LSU football game. Since then, O’Neal, an LSU legend and a Hall of Famer, has become a mentor to Reese. He defended her from online critics who criticized her for taunting Iowa’s Caitlin Clark in the NCAA championship game. After the game, Reese sought advice from Shaq about dealing with newfound national recognition. He encouraged her to stay true to herself despite criticism and judgment.

Angel Reese is the reigning NCAA women's basketball champion and the Most Outstanding Player of the 2023 tournament. She plays for LSU as a forward/center and is projected to be the first overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft. She is also the first female athlete to sign with Reebok under Shaquille O'Neal's presidency of basketball.

Reese transferred to LSU from Maryland after her sophomore year, following her former coach Brenda Frese, who took over the Tigers program in 2022. She averaged 23.3 points, 15.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game in her junior year, leading LSU to a historic season with a 36-1 record and their first national title. She had 15 points and 10 rebounds in the championship game against Iowa, where she also made headlines for taunting Caitlin Clark in the final minutes.

Reese was born in Baltimore, Maryland on March 22, 2002. She attended St. Frances Academy, where she was a five-star recruit and the No. 2 player in the nation according to ESPN. She was also a McDonald's All-American and a two-time Gatorade Maryland Player of the Year. She chose Maryland over UConn, South Carolina, Syracuse, and USC.

Reese is known for her versatility, athleticism, and competitiveness. She can play inside and outside, score from all levels, rebound, defend, and run the floor. She is also outspoken and confident, not afraid to express herself or stand up for what she believes in. She is an inspiration for many young girls who look up to her as a role model.

Shaquille O'Neal, or Shaq, is one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He played for six NBA teams from 1992 to 2011, winning four championships, three Finals MVPs, one regular season MVP, and 15 All-Star selections. He is widely regarded as the most dominant center in NBA history, with career averages of 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game.

Before he became an NBA superstar, Shaq played for LSU from 1989 to 1992, where he was a two-time All-American, two-time SEC Player of the Year, and the national player of the year in 1991. He led the Tigers to three NCAA tournament appearances, reaching the Elite Eight in 1990. He left LSU after his junior year and was drafted first overall by the Orlando Magic in 1992.

Shaq is also a successful businessman, entertainer, and philanthropist. He has endorsement deals with various brands, such as Reebok, Papa John's, Icy Hot, and The General. He is also a part-owner of the Sacramento Kings and an investor in several companies, such as Google, Ring, and NRG Esports. He is a popular media personality, appearing on TNT's Inside the NBA, NBA on TNT Tuesday Night, and The Big Podcast with Shaq. He has also starred in movies, TV Shows, video games, and music albums. He is known for his charitable work, especially for children and education.