Is Angel Reese related to NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal? Here’s the relationship between the pair

O’Neal has served as a reliable mentor to the Chicago Sky’s latest rookie.

Angel Reese is a very talented basketballer and part of that reason might come from the guiding hand of the four-time NBA champion, Shaquille O’Neal, who often offers coaching advise to her. But why? Are they related? MARCA.com has your answer.

O’Neal, who spent the peaks of his career with the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat, is one of the finest centers in the history of basketball after being selected as the overall first pick in the 1992 NBA Draft.

Angel Reese arrives in style at Park Center for WNBA debut

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Meanwhile, Reese was selected sixth in the 2024 WNBA Draft after being an NCAA Women’s Division I champion with the LSU Tigers back in 2022. That’s also the same college that Shaq graduated from.

O’Neal caught attention for accompanying her to the LSU women’s basketball senior ceremony in March 2024, leaving many wondering if the developing talent and the NBA Hall of Famer are related.

The answer is actually no. They are close but they’re not connected by law or blood. O’Neal serves as her mentor, which began after the pair met at an American Football game whilst at LSU.

They’re so close that even the 52-year-old’s daughter has stayed over at Reese‘s in February 2023, which helped cement their bond together. Initially, O’Neal kept an eye on her because he wanted to sign more female athletes to Reebok.

How does Reese view him?

So, with the ex-Laker seeing her as someone he can help mould into a better person and a better basketball player, people will be curious to see how Reese will respond to him after he helped her through college.

Now into the WNBA, Reese revealed that he gave her some very good advice as she begins her professional career with the Sky.