UCLA lands Shaquille O'Neal's son, Shareef
By admin - 2019-01-15 04:32:18

Shareef O’Neal, the son of legendary Los Angeles Lakers big man Shaquille O’Neal, is now part of UCLA’s freshman class, the school announced Monday.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the 6-10, 220 pound center out of  Santa Monica Crossroads School has enrolled in summer school at the university for this month, rounding out a six-man freshman class that also includes wing players Jules Bernard and David Singleton, point guard Tyger Campbell and centers Moses Brown and Kenneth Nwuba. 247Sports has rated UCLA’s freshman class as the sixth best in the nation.

“Shareef has made great strides throughout his high school career,” UCLA coach Steve Alford said in a statement released by the school. “He’s an outstanding addition to our incoming class and brings a terrific combination of size, skill and athleticism.”

O’Neal averaged 27 points per game as a high school senior, leading Crossroads to its first state championship since former UCLA star Baron Davis led the Roadrunners to a title in 1997.

Alford said O’Neal’s sheer size and presence is a huge addition to the team.

“We love the length and height of this year’s team, and Shareef is really going to add to that dynamic,” Alford continued. “He has a terrific frame, one that will allow him to continue improving on both sides of the floor. With Shareef, you’re talking about a hard-working young man with tremendous upside, and his presence in our team’s front court is a significant addition.”