Shareef O’Neal, the son of former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal and Basketball Wives producer Shaunie O’Neal, will undergo a surgical procedure that just might save his life.
O’Neal, who was a top basketball recruit for UCLA, said he “felt funny” during practice this summer and decided to get checked out. Team doctors advised the 18-year-old to wear a heart monitor and asked him to press it whenever he felt like he needed help. After continuing to not feel like himself, doctors discovered the teen had an ailment that could shorten his life.
“Recently I found out I had a serious heart issue. I am very blessed to be here living today,” O’Neal wrote on Instagram. “One of those moments on the court could’ve been my last breathe.”
Though he was excited to continue his basketball career at UCLA, O’Neal has to put his plans on hold in order to focus on his health. But that doesn’t mean he’s giving up on his hoop dreams.
“I will not be able to participate in sports this year but I will be back in no time,” he explained. “This is just a small bump on the road and I gotta push through it. I am very down about not being able to do sport I love.”
“I really wanted this year I felt like I was at my best but this is just a minor setback,” O’Neal continued. “My health is most important over everything, like I said, I WILL BE BACK.”
We wish him a quick recovery!
