Ex-Florida star Me'Arah O'Neal committed to Kentucky on Monday, as the Wildcats landed one of the NCAA transfer portal's biggest offseason names.
The daughter of NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal announced her decision via Instagram after entering the NCAA transfer portal earlier in April. Me'Arah O'Neal posted 13.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game as a sophomore with the Gators before Florida fired head coach Kelly Rae Finley following the program's fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament absence.
The move reunites the McDonald's All-American with SEC competition. O'Neal joins a Kentucky program that reached the Sweet 16 last season under head coach Kenny Brooks, with aspirations for a deeper 2027 NCAA Tournament run.
Shaq recently praised his youngest daughter's versatility on social media, calling her "the best athlete in the family" and admitting he wishes he could shoot like her. The 15-time NBA All-Star emphasized her modern skill set, blending shooting, ball-handling, and control.
"She's not an old-school player. She's the new pick-your-type player," Shaq said on his podcast. "She can shoot, she can dribble. She can't be fazed when it comes to certain things."
Kentucky returns leading scorer Clara Strack alongside three incoming McDonald's All-American freshmen and UConn transfer Ayanna Patterson. The Wildcats lost in the Sweet 16, but built momentum heading into next season.
Me'Arah O'Neal joins three siblings who played college basketball. Shareef competed at UCLA and LSU, Amirah played at LSU and Texas Southern, while brother Shaqir averaged 5.3 points last season at Sacramento State — where Shaq currently serves as the men's basketball GM under coach Mike Bibby.
