She does that at such a high level, she blows me away. * Two-time All-State honoree ", Said Koehler: "She was playing at a low 60% capacity before the surgery. "All lives can't matter, until Black lives matter," she says in the video, looking directly at the camera. During one of her first days at school, two girls asked her if she'd ever thought about playing volleyball. He also stopped the leak in her tricuspid valve. RELATED: Dennis Rodman's 18-Year-Old Daughter Just Made Sports History Twice. Values are based on current season type (i.e. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". HIGH SCHOOL (2016-20) Arnetta Yardbourgh is a Professional Coach - Facts about Shaquille O And for more entertainment and celebrity news sent to you directly, sign up for our daily newsletter. MeArah ONeal, a four-star prospect in the Class of 2024, is one of the top prospects in her class. Shaquille O'Neal, commonly known as just Shaq, 49, . *Terms apply. Amirah O'Neal, the daughter of NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal, announced her college basketball commitment Thursday to her father's alma mater LSU.. She posted the decision on Instagram.Her brother . Amirah has committed to LSU with her elder brother Shareef O'Neal on April 16 of 2020. Her siblings appear to confident in O'Neal's eventual commitment decision. 2021 Southlake Carroll junior Asjia O'Neal spikes the ball during a match on September 20, 2016. After her first sand workout that summer, she called her mom crying. Took a red shirt in her freshman season. By identifying that O'Neal's leaky valve had worsened, the doctor that day started a chain reaction that could lead to celebrations for years to come. Catching her breath, Asjia narrated how a routine checkup turned into a nightmare. "But because she wanted to play sports, she needed it. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. O'Neal looks at the official who made the call, her face scrunched up, her palms wide open, What was that about? TSU is no stranger to high-profile celebrities and athletes. Ayesha, who recently appeared in a charity fashion show . Asjia's mother, Mesha, sitting in the bleachers behind the Oklahoma side of the court, says, "She looks upset." The Basketball Hall of Famer's 19-year-old daughter Amirah O'Neal committed to play basketball at Texas . But seven years later, just as she was positioned to become an impact player at one of the elite programs, the one thing she wanted to avoid at all costs was staring her right in her face: a life without volleyball. In November, just days after the family had sent Asjia's latest reports to Cleveland Clinic -- the evening Texas played Oklahoma -- Jermaine received an urgent call from Asjia's doctor. / Shaquille O'Neal - Height, Family & Stats - Biography Mesha is sitting next to her eating a salad, and even though she knows Asjia's story intimately, she's paying close attention, nodding at times, and adding her perspective here and there. "We'll figure this out," Gabriel said, handing O'Neal a piece of chocolate cake they had brought back from the Longhorns' last-day-of-spring-training celebration. Also, Shaq has a daughter called Taahirah, with whom he had with his ex . 7, the same number her dad wore for most of his career, she stares at her opponents, her palm wide open, a nonchalant shrug. All the while, Asjia was hooked up to a heart-lung machine to keep her blood flowing while her heart was stopped so Najm could repair her valves. Who is Myles She was previously a walk-on at her fathers alma mater Louisiana State University, but is now the second family member to bring their talents to Houston after her younger brother, Shaqir, announced in May that he was joining TSUs mens basketball program. Hook Em! pic.twitter.com/qZyGv1ESgr, Asjia O'Neal (@asjiaoneal) April 27, 2016. 1 overall? Shaq never talked much about his split with Shaunie until March 2022. * Full name is Amirah Sanaa ONeal. The Basketball Hall of Famer's daughter, Amirah O'Neal has committed to play basketball at Texas Southern University. Shaq to his kids: "We ain't rich, I'm rich.". Award-winning gospel singer and songwriter Yolanda Adams, television personality and former NFL player Michael Strahan, and U.S. Rep. Al Green all call the HBCU their alma mater. And that would lead to another open-heart surgery and an agonizing rehabilitation. Arnetta became Shaquille's girlfriend officially after Taahirah's birth. However, it was known that they were romantically involved in the '90s and welcomed their first daughter Taahirah O'Neal in 1996. The previous day doctors had told her that recovery would be more difficult this time. As her future began to take shape, Asjia thought her medical issues were in the past. The O' Neals are the latest to join the movement of top Black players committing to historically Black colleges and universities, which are typically underfunded, rather than other big-name institutions. The 72-year-old Toney played high school basketball and received the All-State guard title. "It's not safe for you to play volleyball anymore.". The doctors operated on Asjia for five hours, stopping the leak and then closing her chest. * Honor Roll "Biological Didn't Bother": Shaquille O'Neal Once Released a Rap Song The point after that, O'Neal blocks the Oklahoma attack, 24-21 Texas. She returned home, working with Koehler remotely to rebuild the soft tissue in her chest. Little did she know that her chest would be sawed open again. Shaquille O'Neal's Ex-Wife- Meet Shaunie O'Neal. * Favorite music/artist Hip hop and R&B. A few minutes later, she heard the doctor ask her if she would consider other, less intense, sports. Her younger brother, Shaqir, second from left, will also play at TSU. When O'Neal awoke, the clock in front of her bed read 10 p.m., and her throat was on fire. She is also the daughter of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer and former Los Angeles Laker Shaquille O'Neal. All along, she was plotting her comeback. Getty Images O'Neal has rarely spoken publicly about being a Muslim, but in 2010 he did reveal he intended to take the Islamic pilgrimage known as the Hajj to Mecca, Saudi . Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Because O'Neal trained alone at home, it was hard to tell how far she had come in her rehab. After her first surgery, she was hesitant to show her scars to the world. "It speaks volumes for our program and where we are, and were thankful that the ONeals have the confidence in us to trust us with their son and daughter. By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, Stand with us in our mission to discover and uncover the story of North Texas, Former Southlake Carroll volleyball player Asjia ONeal, now at Texas, reveals she had second heart surgery, then-Carroll head coach Ryan Mitchell said at the time, Frisco Liberty battles back vs. Lubbock Cooper to claim UIL Class 5A state championship, Boys basketball playoffs (6A): Lake Highlands breaks state drought; DeSoto advances, Boys basketball playoffs (5A): Kimball reaches state; Mansfield Summit clinches berth, 2023 UIL girls state basketball: Schedule, previews and more for Dallas-area teams, DeSotos chase for third straight title continues after rout of Pearland in 6A semifinals, Big 12 tournament bracket revealed; Check out paths for Texas, Baylor, others. ONeal didnt play her senior season at Carroll. Took a red shirt in her freshman season. At Carroll, ONeal played on varsity from her freshman season through her junior year. "I'm proud of the moment and just coming back from it -- so now, I'll wear whatever. Shaquille O' Neal - Facebook Shaquille O'Neal Says Being a Father to '15 Children That I Call My Own Former NBA player Shaquille O'Neal and reality TV star Shaunie O'Neal first got together at the start of the '00s and were married for nine years before they divorced in 2011. Amirah "Mimi" O'Neal, the daughter of NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O' Neal and VH1's Basketball Wives' star and executive producer, Shaunie O' Neal,has committed to play basketball at Texas Southern University, according to an Instagram post. . Shaquille O'Neal says he was a 'serial cheater' and lamented affairs During his 19 year career, Shaq played for six teams and is currently considered one of the . She just decided shes not playing high school volleyball, then-Carroll head coach Ryan Mitchell said at the time. She nudges the ball over the net, and the referee blows the whistle. Shaq's kids are going to inherit his genetics and the skills that helped him become a legend in the world of basketball. Shaquille O'Neal's daughter is a pretty big basketball prospect in her own right. She changed into a hospital gown, lay down, and a nurse administered an echocardiogram and an EKG, tests to check the rhythm and structure of her heart and its electrical signals. Up until that morning, O'Neal felt in control. The doctors there came to a consensus -- she could play out the 2019 season, but she would have to go in for cardiology appointments every three months in Austin, and the results had to be shared with her doctors at Cleveland Clinic. All rights reserved. She had 125 kills, 93 blocks, 35 digs and 22 aces. LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 24: Former Los Angeles Lakers player Shaquille O'Neal speaks after unveiling of his statue at Staples Center March 24, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. Southlake (Texas) Carroll sophomore volleyball star Asjia O'Neal has committed to Texas for the Class of 2018. Shaq's daughter leaves LSU to play at an HBCU - Rolling Out He finished with a season-high seven rebounds and season-high nine points on 4-of . 10,768 talking about this. Shaquille O'Neal's Younger Daughter's Height at Just 15 Years of Age This situation is dripping with irony and serendipity. Asjia ONeal, a former star Southlake Carroll volleyball player now playing at Texas, announced Wednesday that shes recovering from her second open-heart surgery in seven years. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. "She probably would not have had to have it if she did not play sports," Mesha said. To find out more about the college player and her rising career, read on. "But I thought this might just be the reality of me playing sports. O'Neal was born in Newark, New Jersey, to parents Lucille O'Neal and Joe Toney on March 6, 1972, making him 11 years older than the Chicago Fire actor. At 15, when she saw Texas head coach Jerritt Elliott at several of her matches, her excitement grew. After meeting she had four children from the marriage with Shaquille, Shareef O'Neal, Amirah O'Neal, Me'arah O'Neal, and Shaqir O'Neal. Outside of basketball, he is known as a family man and is the father of six children. 2 recruit named to the USA Junior Nationals All-Tournament Team for three consecutive years (2015, 16, 17) 2017 USA Open National Champion 2016 7-6A MVP of Southlake Carroll High School . This journey has made me truly grateful for the ability to play the game I love and lit a fire inside of me that yall aint seen yet. Next up is Rice (20-6) on Friday. RELATED: See The Rock's 19-Year-Old Daughter, Who's Climbing Up the WWE Ranks. NCAA volleyball tournament: Breaking down the bracket, predictions and more, Kim Mulkey's crossroads: Her Baylor past, her LSU present and why she's not apologizing for any of it, Violent dust storms and 135 miles: Inside the world's most impossible run. As she went under, O'Neal remembered hearing "Started from the Bottom," a song her nurses picked for her when she told them she loved Drake. Amirah ONeal will be coached by one of the greatest WNBA players ever, Cynthia Cooper, who won four consecutive titles with the now-defunct Houston Comets from 1997-2000. At every level of basketball, Shaquille O'Neal dominated. Asjia will play another volleyball season at Texas as she finishes her master's degree in sport management (she finished her undergraduate degree in corporate communications in three years). She brought 152 kills and 95 blocks into this year's NCAA tournament, and Elliott said the Longhorns will need her in order to end the title drought that dates to 2012. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. More viscerally, Asjia was willing to open her heart -- twice -- to ensure that. Shaquille O'Neal's third daughter, Taahirah, 24, is from his relationship with ex Arnetta Yardbourgh. SHAQUILLE O'Neal is arguably one of the greatest basketball players and centers of all time. Shaquille O'Neal's Net Worth (Updated 2023) | Wealthy Gorilla Yes, the daughter of LSU legend Shaquille O'Neal. Shaquille O'Neal 's sister Ayesha Harrison-Jex died three years after being diagnosed with cancer on Thursday, his colleagues announced on Thursday's . A 2024 prospect, her recruiting has taken off as of late, and getting down to Baton Rouge was clearly of the utmost importance. Amirah O'Neal (Image source: Instagram - @amirahoneal) Amirah O'Neal, the daughter of NBA legend and Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal, has announced that she is . She pulls up her shirt and points to three healed holes spaced equidistant below her chest. I really want some of my hotties to come to my graduation . Shaquille O'Neal's Daughter Amirah Commits to LSU, Joins Brother Official fan page for the REAL Mr. Shaquille O'Neal. / She also earned the 2019 MaxPreps California All-State Girls Team honorable mention and is a two-time All-State honoree. During her junior season she had 509 kills and 121 blocks to lead Southlake Carroll to the Class 6A Region I final. "I can't believe this is how you guys feel all the time," she said to Mesha. Last October, Shaq told Us Weekly that he tried to instill in his kids that school should be their top priority so that they can be "fully educated" and "fully independent" adults. 1 team in Texas throughout most this past season. Instead . I just know how to do it, it just happens,'" Mesha said. Former prep superstar Jermaine O'Neal's daughter Asjia commits to Texas Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Their younger sister, MeArah, is also getting Divison I offers, but has not yet committed anywhere. Three days later they had an appointment booked at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, which has consistently ranked No. 1. ", "You just had your whole chest open, and you're already back," Gabriel recalled telling O'Neal. At age 14, she received her first college letter, from LSU. Amirah ONeals brother Shaqir will be playing for head coach Johnny Jones, who coached Shaq at LSU from 1989 to 1992. NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 26: Shaquille O'Neal (center) with his family attends the "Uncle Drew" New York Premiere on June 26, 2018 in New York City. Who is Shaq's son Myles O'Neal? | The Sun A day before competing in her fourth-grade spelling bee championship, Asjia ran around their Miami house, performing one-handed cartwheels. "I remember just always saying, 'I'm going to do this, I'm going to do that,' and Asjia is the spitting image [of me].". These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Shaq, as the family patriarch and current Inside the NBA co-host, became a national star at LSU in the early 1990s before becoming a high first-round draft pick in the NBA in 1993. I've been struggling all this time, and this is how everybody else feels after a workout? The extraordinary courage of NCAA volleyball star Asjia O'Neal - ESPN.com I'm positive everything will go well. She watched Koehler's mouth move, but couldn't process a word of the urgent conversation her trainer was having with her doctor. Shaquille O'Neal's Kids: Everything to Know About His Family - Peoplemag PrepVolleyball No. I love seeing people that look like you,' That's so important," O'Neal said. The mother-daughter duo relocated to . Ayesha Harrison Jex, the sister of basketball great Shaquille O'Neal, has tragically died at the age of 40. Dallas Cowboys want another playmaker on offense. NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal is a proud father of six kids . She needed to have another open-heart surgery. UT is also erecting a statue of Heman M. Sweatt, the first Black student admitted into the UT Law School, who fought and won a Supreme Court case that paved the way for desegregation at colleges and universities across the country. She has a leaky valve that's making her heart work too hard. Me'arah O'Neal has so much of Shaquille O'Neal in her. She also earned Big 12 Freshman of the Week honors once and was named a Freshman All-American by VolleyballMag.com. 10:26 am. Robert Lee Moore Hall -- named after a mathematician known for his racist treatment of African American students at Texas -- was renamed the Physics, Math and Astronomy Building. And the intensity of volleyball was putting too much stress on her cardiovascular system. She started dominating in the playoffs as a freshman. Cassy Athena/Getty Images / SSJreef/Twitter, NOW WATCH: NBA ref explains why the James Harden step-back jumper isn't traveling, Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.