NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal has come to the defense of Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese.

The four-time NBA champion is pushing back on the criticism that has trailed the former LSU champion since she entered the league.

Speaking on The Rich Eisen Show, O'Neal stood up for his longtime mentee. He also took aim at online pundits who target women's sports athletes.

Shaq Claims WNBA Critics Bully Angel Reese

O'Neal didn't hold back on the steady stream of criticism that's been directed at Reese. He argued that modern sports media gives uncredentialed voices a platform, allowing them to exploit players just to drive digital engagement.

"The problem with your profession now is that you're letting amateurs come in," the LA Lakers veteran said. "Amateurs think they have the same rights that you guys have."

He also pointed to a broader problem spurred by internet culture.

Commentators, he continued, often seize on hot-button topics to build their brands. According to O'Neal, those critics single out Reese's performances to grow their follower counts while chasing likes.

"Guys bullying guys is one thing," he said. "But I can't let you just bully women so you can get likes."

Shaq's Connection to Angel Reese Dates Back to LSU, Reebok

The bond between O'Neal and Reese runs back to their shared LSU roots.

As president of Reebok's basketball division, O'Neal signed Reese to a major endorsement deal early on. He also recently signed Washington Mystics rookie and NCAA champion Lauren Betts, positioning himself as a mentor for both standouts.

"They have my number," O'Neal said of the Reebok athletes. "They know if they need me, they can call me. Another role of being a mentor is not to micromanage. You know, sometimes you just have to let people figure it out on their own."

Still, to him, there's a firm line between fair basketball critique and targeted attacks.

"I wish I could punch some of these guys in the face that just pick on my Angel," O'Neal continued. "These guys come in, and they just say stuff off the wall, and they keep going. It's just a lot of nonsense, and just embarrassing, a lot of bullying."

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.

Angel Reese’s basketball superstardom earned her a lot of attention during her four-game absence from No. 7 LSU’s lineup. 

Her celebrity has also secured her a multi-year NIL deal with Reebok. Shaquille O’Neal is the new president of basketball for the brand, as well as a mentor of Reese’s, and he’s been helping Reese throughout her absence.

“I talked to Shaq every day. We FaceTimed, he called, he checked on me every single day to make sure I was good,” Reese said. “He told me every day, ‘This too shall pass.’ He’s been here before and he knows what it takes.”

Reese made a triumphant return to the court for the Tigers in Thursday’s 82-64 win against Virginia Tech. After the game, she did not go into any detail about the nature of her absence, continuing the precedent she and Tigers head coach Kim Mulkey set while she was gone. But some of the comments Reese made about speaking with Shaq may shed some light on the situation.

“Being able to have somebody like that was something that was really good for me. He told me when I was right, when I was wrong and told me what I needed to do to get back. And I know he’s probably going to call me after this game,” Reese said. 

Reese recorded 19 points and 9 rebounds against the Hokies. After the game, she shouted out her support system — likely including Shaq — for getting her through the intense scrutiny she endured during her time away from the team. Before Thursday, she had last played on Nov. 14.

“I want people to realize that I’m not just an athlete, I’m a human. I go through things, we all go through things. Being able to have so many people that are super supportive to me over this past week-and-a-half really showed me a lot and who really cares for me,” Reese said.

“When you’re up, everybody loves you. And when you’re down is when you see who really loves you. Being able to have such supportive people for me here through a tough time for me was really important.”