Michigan Basketball: Son of Kazaam might be Michigan bound

With eight losses, Michigan basketball isn’t quite nearing a crisis, but it sure could use some talent for next year. The son of Shaquille O’Neal just might be exactly what they’re looking for.

Shaquille O’Neal is a man of many talents. Playing a genie in the movie Kazaam isn’t one of them, but playing basketball most certainly is, and he’s passed on some of his NBA hall-of-fame skills to his son, Shareef O’Neal. And per Chris Balas from Rivals ($), Michigan Basketball is giving the extra effort to snag the UCLA transfer utilizing Howard’s NBA connection.

"Shareef O’Neal, UCLA transfer and Shaq’s son, is still being pursued heavily. Michigan head coach Juwan Howard has been in touch with Shaq recently, and while some have thought Houston would be a player here, it appears U-M has surged."

Shareef, ranked 41st overall for the 2018 class, committed to UCLA in August two years ago, but recently announced his decision to enter the transfer portal. He has yet to indicate his favorites list, opening up the door for Juwan Howard to swoop in.

Forging is path

Shareef’s career isn’t as glamorous as his dad’s back in the ’90s.

The younger O’Neal had a major medical issue before he ever engaged in a college game. He was absent his first year after having open heart surgery to correct a preexisting condition. Fast forward to this season and Shareef has barely seen the court, averaging a little over ten minutes per game and just 2.2 points. That is a stark contrast from the over 28 minutes his father averaged while scoring nearly 14 points each night.

They’re very different people, however.

Shaq towered over and over-powered anyone who would challenge him on the court while his 6-foot-9 son is realizing that despite being extremely tall to normal-sized humans, college athletes are not normal.

“When I played defense in high school, I was so much taller than everyone that it would just be kinda easier to play and block shots,” O’Neal said. “But in college, everyone is my height, more skills, stronger, so I have to learn how to use my body to defend bigger players, even faster players. We switch on the guard sometimes, so I have to learn how to guard every position.”

Shareef was one of the most sought after high school athlete’s in the country. He was the 8th ranked PF in his class and 247 sports designated him as a four-star with a 9850 composite score.

He clearly has the potential for greatness.

The good news is that Shareef understands he has shortcomings and is actively working to fix them.

“I kinda had to do the research and I knew he was going to be heavy on defense and I was like, I need that,” O’Neal said, well before announcing his transfer. “I feel like in high school, I just wasn’t a good defender. I just kinda blocked everything when I had the chance. So, now being here, I’ve learned how to guard a point guard all the way down to the center position. I feel like that can help me a lot.”

The Christopher connection

There are rumors that the coveted Joshua Christopher, 10th overall for the 2020 class, could come as a package deal with Shareef. If that’s true, and the recent predictions come to fruition, Michigan basketball is about to become the next UNC – because, well, someone must fill their spot atop College Basketball’s Mount Olympus.

Scholarship limits and personnel

Juwan does face several obstacles in his pursuit of the greatest recruiting haul in Michigan basketball history since he and the rest of the Fab Five decided to travel from all over the country to Ann Arbor. For starters, the Wolverines do not have any scholarships left to hand out. Those dried up right after the new year when Terrance Williams jumped on the Howard train.

Although, that hasn’t stopped Juwan, and it seems as though he’s operating as if the NCAA is going to change the rules solely for him, that or he’s already formed the restructuring of the 2020-21 Wolverines and is waiting patiently to divulge his master plan.

We’ll have to wait on that front.

There are also personnel issues that might prohibit an O’Neal from stepping foot in Crisler Center as a Wolverine.

Generally, college athletes enter the transfer portal for a few reasons. Mental health, atmosphere, and playing time – the latter being the most likely culprit for Shareef – are typically what pushes collegiate athletes to venture elsewhere.

At Michigan, while there isn’t much depth presently, the future is bright in terms of recruits and two of those highly ranked pledges play the same position as O’Neal. Isaiah Todd is 13th overall and the No. 2 PF in the nation, and he’s supposedly headed to A² next fall. There’s also the aforementioned Williams who won’t be too happy if Shaq’s kid takes his spot unless he’s willing to make the move to small forward, which at 6-foot-6, might make more sense for him.

Regardless, the Michigan bench is going to be filled to the brim, and if Shareef is seeking a coach that will promise him increased minutes, Ann Arbor might not be the place for him.

Although, if he desires to be apart of a team of future NBA All-Stars, and he believes he could be a major contributor, a Michigan man he will be.