When Shareef O’Neal, the son of NBA giant Shaquille O’Neal, was hit with a life-threatening health scare, the world of college basketball was turned upside down. What was meant to be a thrilling debut season for the UCLA Bruins transformed into a nightmare as Shaq’s son faced a medical betrayal and personal anguish.
How Shaq’s Son Faced a Medical Betrayal That Nearly Ended His Career
In 2018, the promising basketball star, who had been cruising through medical check-ups with seemingly minor concerns, was stunned by a revelation that left him reeling. Shareef, who was affectionately known as “Zipper Boy” in the public eye, learned that his heart condition was far more severe than anyone had previously indicated.
Shareef had been enjoying a rising career at Crossroads High School and was eagerly preparing to join UCLA. Yet, during a routine visit to a specialist, everything changed. The gravity of the situation was so intense that his father, Shaq, had to witness the distressing news via FaceTime, while his mother, Shaunie, was there in person to support him.
In an emotional revelation on the “Then They Rose” podcast, Shareef voiced his deep frustration and sense of betrayal. “I went through years of clean bills of health, only to discover through a single test that I had been misled by professionals who should have known better,” Shareef expressed. His anger is palpable, stemming from years of reassurances that masked the true severity of his condition.
The test results were a game-changer. Shareef’s anomalous coronary artery required immediate open-heart surgery—a daunting procedure that kept him sidelined for the entire 2018-19 season. This blow was particularly crushing as it interrupted what was to be a landmark season in his budding career.
The surgery, performed in December 2018, was a critical juncture. Shareef was devastated, retreating under a table, overwhelmed by tears and disbelief. His mother’s memoir, Undefeated, captures the emotional turmoil of that period, revealing how Shareef felt duped by the medical professionals who had previously given him a clean slate.
Despite the trauma, Shareef’s spirit was indomitable. He underwent surgery and, remarkably, returned to the court a year later, kicking off the 2019-20 season. His perseverance paid off as he continued his basketball journey, even though it included a transfer to LSU and subsequent stints with the Lakers and G-League.
Today, Shareef reflects with a mix of gratitude and insight. He acknowledges that the doctors were not deceitful, but rather, he was unable to fully grasp the severity of his condition at the time. Now, he appreciates the crucial intervention that potentially saved his life and allowed him to continue chasing his basketball dreams.
In the end, Shareef O’Neal’s story is a powerful reminder of how crucial it is to trust medical professionals while also staying vigilant about one’s health.
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