Shaquille O’Neal may have jeopardized his mentor relationship with Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese after his recent appearance on her podcast, Unapologetically Angel. While the NBA Hall of Famer has been a vocal supporter of Reese—advocating for her endorsement with Reebok and praising her achievements—his latest comments left many fans uncomfortable and questioning his judgment.
During the episode, O’Neal sparked controversy when he suggested changes for the WNBA, advocating for lower rims so players could dunk more frequently, a suggestion that some found out of touch. However, the moment that truly drew backlash came when he commented on Reese’s outfit choice for Nick Cannon’s Wild ‘n Out tour in Chicago, where Reese had opted for a fun, casual look featuring cheeky shorts.
O’Neal’s remark implied that Reese should consider playing basketball in similar attire. “Imagine you’re in those same little shorts you had at the Wild ‘n Out show dunking,” O’Neal said. “You know how many T-shirts you would sell. You’re tripping.”
Reese, taken aback by the suggestion, attempted to shut down the comment immediately, responding, “I’m not imagining.” Despite her efforts to steer the conversation back to a more professional tone, O’Neal’s remark quickly made rounds on social media, where fans expressed their frustration.
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“That’s so violating and just weird,” one fan posted. “She looked to that man as a mentor.” Another fan commented, “Shaq is just ONE serious allegation away from being taken down in 2024.” Others praised Reese’s quick response, with one tweet reading, “Shaq was definitely doing too much, glad she shut him up.”
The incident has cast a shadow over O’Neal’s role as a mentor to Reese, despite his previous support and significant influence in securing her Reebok sneaker deal.
Many fans felt that, regardless of his intentions, O’Neal crossed a boundary with his comments on Reese’s appearance, undermining the professional guidance he had offered her in the past.
It remains unclear whether this incident will affect their mentor-mentee relationship moving forward.
However, as Reese continues her rising career, fans are hopeful that she will find support figures who consistently respect her boundaries and celebrate her talent without unnecessary distractions.
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