Shareef O’Neal, the 25-year-old son of NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, is taking a major step in shaping his career beyond the basketball court.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the former UCLA and LSU forward has officially signed with Wasserman, one of the leading talent management and sports representation firms in the world.
O’Neal’s basketball journey has been anything but simple. After committing to UCLA, his career was put on pause when he underwent open-heart surgery in 2018 to correct a congenital heart defect. He later transferred to LSU, his father’s alma mater, before declaring for the 2022 NBA Draft. While his time on the court was defined by determination and resilience, injuries and health setbacks limited his playing time throughout his college career.
Despite the obstacles, O’Neal kept pushing. He spent time with the G League Ignite program and continued to train with an eye toward professional opportunities. Now, with Wasserman in his corner, he’s focused on building a future that expands far beyond basketball.
“As I step into this next chapter and focus on building an empire beyond the court, Wasserman was the obvious choice,” the younger O’Neal said in a statement. “I’m grateful for their belief in me and excited to push boundaries and create a legacy that goes far beyond the game.”
At Wasserman, O’Neal will work closely with the agency’s marketing, media, and entertainment divisions. Jamie Stein and Matt Massimino of The Montag Group will handle his representation. Stein praised O’Neal’s potential to impact both sports and culture, saying, “Shareef has a compelling voice and represents the next generation of basketball and entertainment culture. I’m excited to work with Shareef and his team to grow his brand across the sports media landscape.”
O’Neal has already started making moves off the court. He was recently named creative strategist for the Shaq Brand, taking on the responsibility of refreshing the company’s image for a new generation. He’s also set to host a panel at TwitchCon later this year, where he’ll explore the intersection of gaming, streaming, and sports.