Shaquille O’Neal has achieved countless milestones throughout his legendary basketball career, but there’s one accomplishment that his friend and fellow LSU alum, Angel Reese, holds that he openly admits makes him envious.
On a recent episode of his The Big Podcast with Shaq, O’Neal praised Reese, the star forward for the Chicago Sky, who led the LSU Lady Tigers to their first-ever national championship in women’s basketball in 2023. The victory was not just historic for LSU but also gave Reese an experience that even the four-time NBA champion didn’t get to enjoy during his college days—a championship parade.
“For her to be the first person to bring a basketball championship to LSU, I named her the greatest athlete at LSU, and a lot of people got mad,” O’Neal said on the podcast, referring to the buzz his earlier declaration stirred.
“We get judged by championships,” O’Neal explained. “Not by points, yards, or broken backboards. When I said that about Angel, I wasn’t trying to disrespect anyone else; I was giving her props because she did something we wanted to do, but couldn’t.”
O’Neal, who played at LSU from 1989 to 1992 and was named SEC Player of the Year in both 1991 and 1992, never had the opportunity to win a national title during his collegiate career. The closest he came was a run to the Sweet 16. After being selected first overall in the 1992 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic, O’Neal went on to a Hall of Fame career, winning four NBA championships. Yet, it’s the LSU national championship parade in April 2023 that left him feeling a bit “jealous.”
“I was looking at all the people during the parade and I was like, ‘God damn, I wish I could have done that,’” O’Neal said with a smile. Watching the celebration in Baton Rouge, which took place after Reese and the Lady Tigers defeated Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes 102-85 in the national title game, O’Neal couldn’t help but think about what might have been.
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While O’Neal never got to experience that level of success at LSU, he has become one of Reese’s biggest supporters, even serving as a mentor. He shared that he helped guide her through some tough moments during the 2023 season, particularly when her relationship with LSU head coach Kim Mulkey became strained. “I called her and said, ‘Hey, part of the game, don’t say nothing, don’t respond,’” O’Neal recalled on his podcast, offering her advice on navigating the pressures of high-level competition.
Reese, who was drafted seventh overall by the Chicago Sky in the 2024 WNBA Draft, had an impressive, though injury-shortened, rookie season, averaging 13.6 points, 13.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. Her rise in the WNBA has only increased her star power, both on and off the court, with her current NIL valuation at an estimated $1.8 million, according to On3.
O’Neal also revealed that his connection to Reese goes beyond mentorship—he sees her as family. “She reminds me of my daughter, so I mentor her at times,” O’Neal said, further deepening their bond. Despite the guidance he offers, O’Neal and Reese share plenty of playful moments as well.
In a lighthearted exchange earlier this month, Reese playfully bet O’Neal $100,000 that he couldn’t make a free throw. Much to her surprise, O’Neal sank the shot. “I guess I owe him $100k,” Reese joked, accompanied by a crying emoji in a video clip.
Though Shaquille O’Neal has experienced countless accolades throughout his career, his admiration for Angel Reese’s achievements at LSU remains clear. Her historic championship win and the subsequent parade that O’Neal never experienced have left an indelible mark on both of their legacies.
Now, as Reese continues to flourish in the WNBA, her relationship with O’Neal is a testament to the enduring LSU spirit and the shared pride of two greats from different eras of basketball.
