* Started playing basketball at age 10. All the while, Asjia was hooked up to a heart-lung machine to keep her blood flowing while her heart was stopped so Najm could repair her valves. The 6-3 ONeal has blossomed as powerful hitter and blocker who helped Southlake be ranked the No. Oregon star Sabrina Ionescu who had a close relationship with Kobe and Gigi Bryant made NCAA history hours after eulogizing her mentor and mentee, Here's why James Harden's controversial Euro step that everyone is calling a travel was actually completely legal, President of US Soccer once admitted USWNT had 'not been treated equally' despite arguing for dismissal of their gender discrimination lawsuit, Kobe Bryant fans looking to pay their respects to the NBA legend are visiting the wrong grave. Check out Shaq's dating history over the . The third day, she could walk farther. Amirah O'Neal, the daughter of NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal, announced her college basketball commitment Thursday to her father's alma mater LSU.. She posted the decision on Instagram.Her brother . "It's not safe for you to play volleyball anymore.". Her heart condition had deteriorated even further. A day before competing in her fourth-grade spelling bee championship, Asjia ran around their Miami house, performing one-handed cartwheels. The next point, O'Neal gets a kill on an Oklahoma over-pass. 2019: VolleyballMag.com All-Freshman Honorable MentionBig 12 Rookie of the Week (Nov. 4, 2019)Big 12 Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll. Even before she knew the game's nuances, Asjia's hand-eye coordination was impeccable, and her height -- she was 5-10 at age 12 -- made her an immediate powerhouse. She surprised herself by not just leading her team in conversations about racial justice, but also taking those conversations to various communities within UT. In order to monitor O'Neal's heart and to compare her to people without a heart condition, her teammates wore heart monitors during practice. 2019 Played in 26 matches and 93 sets put down 125 kills, at 1.34 per set and hit .365 on the season She added 93 (7/86) blocks on the year with 35 digs and 22 aces put down a career-best nine kills, hitting .500 and adding four blocks against Rice (9/18) post an 8-0-8, 1.000 hitting line against West Virginia with seven blocks, two aces and two digs (10/19) recorded a career-best eight blocks against Kansas (11/23). Played in 28 matches during the 2021 seasonfinished second on the team with 114 total blocks and led the Longhorns with 16 solo blockssecond on the team with a .383 hitting percentage and was third with 266 pointsfinished with 170 kills, the fifth-most on the teamthird on the team with 31 service acestied career high with nine blocks in back-to-back matches at Iowa State (10/21-22). will be playing for head coach Johnny Jones, who coached Shaq at LSU from 1989 to 1992. In 2002, two years after Asjia was born, O'Neal was named the league's most improved player, charming fans with his outgoing personality and tantalizing promise with the Indiana Pacers. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. "I'm not going to just die on the court. In addition, UT erected a statue of the Longhorns' first Black football letterman, Julius Whittier, and it renamed Joe Jamail Field at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium to Campbell-Williams Field, after Texas' two Black Heisman Trophy running backs, Earl Campbell and Ricky Williams. "At 22, she is more equipped, she can use her voice to make this world a better place. Jermaine had set up a home gym, and she liked training on her own timeline. Shaquille O'Neal, commonly known as just Shaq, 49, . "Weve positioned ourselves to attract high recruits," he said. During O'Neal's infanthood, his father Toney got arrested for drug possession and once went to federal prison for forging checks. LSU has always been a top choice for me, and my dad influenced my decision a lot. The point after that, O'Neal blocks the Oklahoma attack, 24-21 Texas. As Asjia wraps up the story of her second surgery, she puts down her spoon, her gel manicure (with a white squiggly line design), glinting in the sunlight. "I was so young. According to her official university profile, she scored an average of 17.2 points a game during her junior year of high school at the Crossroads School for the Arts&Sciences. ONeal is transferring from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge to play at HBCU Texas Southern University in Houston, beginning in the fall. Asjia is the daughter of former NBA All-Star Jermaine O'Neal. O'Neal orchestrated the Longhorns' Black Lives Matter video campaign. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. * O the places I will go Dubai. Former NBA player Shaquille O'Neal and reality TV star Shaunie O'Neal first got together at the start of the '00s and were married for nine years before they divorced in 2011. He led several teams to championship victories during his career . It was for his daughter. I found this story on USA TODAY High School Sports and wanted to share it with you: A post shared by M ?? "I know her lifestyle and her career, and if I replaced her valve with a prosthetic one, she would have to commit to subsequent surgeries," Najm said. Shaqir joins a team ranked ninth nationally in the number of wins since March 2010. The monitors revealed how hard her heart was working to allow her to play. * Three-time All-Gold Coast League selection Shaquille O'Neal's annual Super Bowl party, 'Shaq's Fun House,' reflects its host fun, welcoming and engaging. "Athletes, when they are exercising, they convert their cardiac output -- as we call it -- or circulation, they multiply that by at least five times, sometimes more. She stared at him blankly, her mouth glued shut. O'Neal stands . At 13, she had undergone an open-heart surgery so she could play the sport she loved at the highest level. Little did she know that her chest would be sawed open again. She had an intuition on the court that amazed coaches. 1 overall? Values are based on current season type (i.e. Shaq to his kids: "We ain't rich, I'm rich.". *Terms apply. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Joseph covers SMU, college sports and the Texas Rangers for The Dallas Morning News. (O'Neal has a daughter with Arnetta Yardbourgh. "They would always try to make me cough things up, but it would hurt so bad to cough because obviously my chest is broken," O'Neal said. "She's not going to give up," Shaunie explained. " Up until that morning, O'Neal felt in control. After graduating from the University of Oregon in 2016, Joseph interned at The News before working for The Ames Tribune and KOIN-TV in Portland. HOUSTON - Shaquille O'Neal's children are bringing their hoop dreams to Houston.. "We're going to get a second opinion," Mesha said forcefully into the phone. "MOM, SOMETHING IS very wrong. O'Neal looks at the official who made the call, her face scrunched up, her palms wide open, What was that about? O'Neal burst into tears once again, holding her face, sobbing and remembering. Shaquille O'Neal's daughter has now received two scholarship offers from Division I programs. The Los Angeles native was a 2019 . Shaquille O'Neal's sister, Ayesha Harrison-Jex, died of cancer Thursday at 40, and the TNT 'Inside the NBA' crew delivered a touching tribute. As she waited on the exam table for her doctor, she made small talk with the Texas volleyball team's physical trainer, DeAnn Koehler, who had driven her to the hospital. But seven years later, just as she was positioned to become an impact player at one of the elite programs, the one thing she wanted to avoid at all costs was staring her right in her face: a life without volleyball. In silence, she stood up and walked with Koehler to the car. "Was there anything that we should be looking out for or pulling her back on? Shaquille O'Neal's 13-year-old daughter, Me'arah, can dunk. Things had to change within the University of Texas, and in America, she said. ON A SUNNY November day in Austin, O'Neal, wearing a burnt orange Texas long-sleeve shirt, bandana and black sweats, is seated at an outdoor table at Civil Goat Coffee, one of her favorite cafes. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. I'm going to show [my scars], I don't care," O'Neal said. For more high school stories, stats and videos, visit http://usatodayhss.com. Shaq's kids are going to inherit his genetics and the skills that helped him become a legend in the world of basketball. His tenure in the NBA stretched for nearly 20 years. This situation is dripping with irony and serendipity. Shaquille O'Neal is an American former professional basketball player who had a very successful NBA career starting in 1992. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Child's father is her now ex-husband, Shaquille O . O'Neal has become a leader for Texas, the national runner-up to Kentucky a year ago. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Basketball world mourns loss of the Orlando native. "She never wanted to accept that her heart [condition] prevented her from doing certain things that other people could easily do," Mesha said. Shaquille O'Neal and Shaqir O'Neal attend the 2019 NBA Awards presented by Kia on TNT at Barker Hangar on June 24, 2019 in Santa Monica, California. O'Neal was born in Newark, New Jersey, to parents Lucille O'Neal and Joe Toney on March 6, 1972, making him 11 years older than the Chicago Fire actor. But when she returned to campus in July 2020, she could see how she compared to her teammates. "I heard the word 'volleyball,' and I just wanted to say hello. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for . PrepVolleyball No. It would have been impossible to know then, but that bleak hospital visit actually would be cause for chocolate cake. I don't know if I can do this," Asjia said to Mesha on the phone after one of her first spring practice sessions during her redshirt freshman year at Texas in 2019. Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal was born on the 6th day of March 1972 in Newark, New Jersey, the United States, to his mother, Lucille O'Neal, and father, Joe Toney, a former American basketball player. On her last day at the hospital, her doctor walked in and said, "This is going to hurt," as he prepared to remove the tubes. Arnetta became Shaquille's girlfriend officially after Taahirah's birth. "Thank you," she says and smiles politely. Amirah's little sister, Me'arah (left) is a rising sophomore at Crossroads School, where she plays basketball. The sister of NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal, Ayesha Harrison-Jex, died from cancer Thursday at age 40. The two have three sons Myles, 24, Shareef, 21, and Shaqir, 18and two daughters Amirah, 19, and . Southlake (Texas) Carroll sophomore volleyball star Asjia O'Neal has committed to Texas for the Class of 2018. Harrison-Jex had been diagnosed . She also earned Big 12 Freshman of the Week honors once and was named a Freshman All-American by VolleyballMag.com. 2023 The University of Texas at Austin Athletics, J. Dan Brown Family Player Development Center. Amirah ONeal, the daughter of NBA legend and Hall of Famer Shaquille ONeal, has announced that she is leaving her fathers alma mater to play at a historically Black college in Texas. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. BEFORE TEXAS. "In the perfect world, I'd like them to have a bachelor's and master's and [be] going into their own field.". Instead of opening up her heart to replace the valve with a prosthetic one, as would be the norm with cases like hers, Najm re-repaired her mitral valve, removing fibrous tissues around the valve before placing the bigger ring. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Shaquille O'Neal Expressed Displeasure Towards Michael B Jordan to 'Aunt' Nischelle Turner . Gregory Gym, which is hosting 4,295 people for this Nov. 11, 2021, encounter against Oklahoma, erupts in boos. "Regardless of my accomplishments on the court, I think just having that imagery for young girls is incredible.". Shaquille O'Neal said on his podcast, "The Big Podcast with Shaq," that he was a "serial cheater" and the affairs cost him valuable time with his kids. / Like many other vocal athletes, O'Neal faced backlash on social media, with comments on her profile like, "I'm never going to buy a ticket again. Asjia fell in love with volleyball in 2012 -- when she was in seventh grade -- after the O'Neals moved to Dallas, where volleyball was a hugely popular sport. The daughters decision comes four months after her younger brother, Shaqir ONeal, announced to his IG followers that he committed to the same university. Shaquille O'Neal is one of the most dominant players in NBA history, helping his teams to win NBA Championships and Olympic gold. Sign up for notifications from Insider! While they're no longer a couple, they still share five children. The next day, she went up on stage and won the title, spelling the word "vegetable" for the championship. As Jermaine sat in the bleachers, he scanned the crowd -- posters carrying Asjia's face and her jersey number peppered the stands. And she wants some of her fans to attend. And on the fourth day, she could make one round, with her aid. Last October, Shaq told Us Weekly that he tried to instill in his kids that school should be their top priority so that they can be "fully educated" and "fully independent" adults. "But because she wanted to play sports, she needed it. Basketball aside, Asjia was like her father in most every way. The doctors operated on Asjia for five hours, stopping the leak and then closing her chest. Her heart was stronger, it was working better, and she could play the sport she loved. For six weeks after her surgery, she was home in Dallas, slowly building up her strength. A HOUSTON CHRONICLE INVESTIGATION:A history of funding failures at Texas HBCUs. He also stopped the leak in her tricuspid valve. By identifying that O'Neal's leaky valve had worsened, the doctor that day started a chain reaction that could lead to celebrations for years to come. While they're no longer a couple, they still share five children. The doctors there came to a consensus -- she could play out the 2019 season, but she would have to go in for cardiology appointments every three months in Austin, and the results had to be shared with her doctors at Cleveland Clinic. "I remember just always saying, 'I'm going to do this, I'm going to do that,' and Asjia is the spitting image [of me].". In addition, she built her core strength, and did band work and mobility exercises. HONORS AND AWARDS She was previously a walk-on at her fathers alma mater Louisiana State University, but is now the second family member to bring their talents to Houston after her younger brother, Shaqir, announced in May that he was joining TSUs mens basketball program. The Longhorns (25-1), who also made it to the NCAA finals in 2015 and 2016, are the No. Though his wife Shaunie was missing, all five of their kids with him at the 'Uncle Drew' world premiere in New York on June 26, 2018. "She's not talking about surgery. Powered by BizBudding, Shaquille ONeals Children: Meet All Of Shaqs Kids. She had fluid buildup in her chest, something that's normal post-surgery, but that meant she had to work her core to cough it up. But as the time of the surgery got closer, nervousness hung over her like a heavy blanket. ASJIA O'NEAL HAS always been a regular at big arenas. After meeting she had four children from the marriage with Shaquille, Shareef O'Neal, Amirah O'Neal, Me'arah O'Neal, and Shaqir O'Neal. It was too dangerous for O'Neal to continue. "I can't believe this is how you guys feel all the time," she said to Mesha. * Has three brothers, Myles, Shareef and . This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. "And I'm like, 'Well, then why do I feel like this?'". Point Oklahoma. And that empowered athlete would become an ever more influential person in arenas that matter far more than the Longhorns' Gregory Gymnasium. Before the relationship with Shaunie O'Neal, Shaq was in a relationship with Arnetta Yarbourgh, they have a daughter together too. O'Neal's right foot had landed on the Sooners' side of the net as she nudged the ball over. He returned to The News in Nov. 2018. It was on that last day of spring training that O'Neal's doctor told her that she shouldn't play volleyball anymore. I really want some of my hotties to come to my graduation . 2 overall seed and opened the tournament with a sweep of Sacred Heart at home. Me'arah, who is the youngest of Shaq's five children, plays for LA's Finest, according to Rivals.com. 3 Tennessee suspends baseball coach Vitello, FSU AD: Lagging ACC revenue 'has to change', Huskers volleyball set for outdoors to spike crowd, Road to the men's Frozen Four: Conference tournaments at a glance, College softball rankings: The top 25 teams in the NCAA this week, Previewing the 2023 college softball season: Players you need to watch, key storylines and WCWS predictions. Shaquille O'Neal Childhood Photo. O'Neal and his ex-wife Shaunie O'Neal share four children together: sons Shareef and Shaqir and daughters Amirah and Me'arah. Brand Guidelines Southlake Carroll junior Asjia O'Neal spikes the ball during a match on September 20, 2016. as well as other partner offers and accept our. "College coaches are already calling about her. Jed Jacobsohn/ALLSPORT. O'Neal's voice grows louder toward the end of the sentence, like she really wants people to hear her. * First season at LSU. When O'Neal arrived back on campus, she called her mom from the sidewalk; Mesha O'Neal heard only sobs. Sign up for Yahoo Lifes daily newsletter, See LeBron James' 16-Year-Old Son, Who's Already a Basketball Star, See The Rock's 19-Year-Old Daughter, Who's Climbing Up the WWE Ranks, Dennis Rodman's 18-Year-Old Daughter Just Made Sports History Twice, Women who had ovarian cysts share their stories, A sugar replacement may be linked to heart attacks and strokes, but don't throw it out yet. Her doctor entered the room, holding her results in his hands. "I had no idea, because it was the same protocol -- some days I would feel bad, some days I would feel better," said Asjia, who had a .413 hitting percentage and averaged 1.48 kills per set through the first 19 matches of that 2019 season. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Published on October 25, 2019 10:02 AM. She made the announcement to her hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram. What supplements should we really be taking? The doctors signed her discharge papers. Asjia will play another volleyball season at Texas as she finishes her master's degree in sport management (she finished her undergraduate degree in corporate communications in three years). NCAA volleyball tournament: Breaking down the bracket, predictions and more, Kim Mulkey's crossroads: Her Baylor past, her LSU present and why she's not apologizing for any of it, Violent dust storms and 135 miles: Inside the world's most impossible run. O'Neal could be a big-time addition to the LSU Tigers basketball program. Joseph Hoyt, Staff Writer. 29.3m Followers, 1,860 Following, 3,725 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from DR. SHAQUILLE O'NEAL Ed.D. Before the surgery, even a long warm-up exercise -- which included yoga postures like downward dog, sugarcane and bow pose -- would leave her winded. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images) Me'Arah O'Neal, the youngest daughter of Shaquille O'Neal and Shaunie Nelson is the latest basketball sensation in the O'Neal household. O'Neal tuned out every word that came out of her doctor's mouth after that. Her older brother Shareef O'Neal posted a video on Twitter Tuesday night of the young baller throwing down on a regulation 10-foot hoop. Midway through a cartwheel, Asjia said, "Dad, I'm going to win it." At every level of basketball, Shaquille O'Neal dominated. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. ", "Yes, she can finish the season," Asjia remembered Najm saying. It didn't feel like this was her game, like this was what she was meant to do. In addition to Shaq's former wife of 9 years, Shaunie O'Neal, the basketball legend has been linked to countless women. * Favorite food Mexican food. When O'Neal awoke, the clock in front of her bed read 10 p.m., and her throat was on fire. Nobody even asked, really. She wrote that she was facing the possibility of never playing volleyball again; now she expects to be back on the court come August. After the death of George Floyd, O'Neal felt a similar need to be heard. ONeal has starred in AAU summer competitions for several years. And thanks to coach Kelvin Sampson and the assistants he Solomon: DeMeco Ryans the right coach at the right time, 3 pressing questions facing new Astros GM Dana Brown, Jabari Smith Jr. growing up in NBA with an assist from his father, Poor parent behavior is driving high school sports refs away. UT ends regular season on high note with win over Kansas, UH's basketball rivalry with Memphis could end as soon as Sunday, Bun B, Badu, J.J. Watt celebrate RodeoHouston Southern Takeover, Exclusive: Abbott explains push against diversity hiring programs. Publish date: Aug 10, 2021 6:37 PM EDT. "She's a master," said Ping Cao, Asjia's club coach. "It speaks volumes for our program and where we are, and were thankful that the ONeals have the confidence in us to trust us with their son and daughter. are unconfirmed rumors. [I'll] guide them in the right path," the former player said. "What she has, she's had for more than a year now.". Shareef shares details about his basketball careeras well as photos of his familyon his Instagram. Unsurprisingly, a few of Shaq's kids are following in his footsteps by succeeding on the court. Shaquille O'Neal's daughter is a pretty big basketball prospect in her own right. Growing up, she loved watching her father, a six-time All-Star, play basketball. Amirah "Mimi" O'Neal, the daughter of NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O' Neal and VH1's Basketball Wives' star and executive producer, Shaunie O' Neal,has committed to play basketball at Texas Southern University, according to an Instagram post. Stay up to date with what you want to know. * Daughter of Shaquille ONeal and Shaunie ONeal; Dad played for LSU from 1989-92 and was the No. Shaquille O'Neal has six children, five biological children and one stepchild. The previous day doctors had told her that recovery would be more difficult this time. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. By clicking submit, you agree to receive emails from Rolling Out and accept our web terms of use and privacy and cookie policy. "She has the ability to change [the team's] personality, maybe more than anybody on our team," Elliott said. She had 125 kills, 93 blocks, 35 digs and 22 aces. / Jermaine, who had been diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat in 2013, called every doctor he knew in the NBA to get his daughter the best treatment he could. 1 overall pick of the 1992 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic won four NBA Championships with the [] Former NBA player Shaquille O'Neal and reality TV star Shaunie O'Neal first got together at the start of the '00s and were married for nine years before they divorced in 2011.