Angel Reese-Shaquille O'Neal relationship, explained: How LSU stars bonded over basketball

The connection between Angel Reese and Shaquille O'Neal may seem obvious.

Reese is the star of LSU women's basketball, helping guide the Tigers to a national championship last season. O'Neal was a star center for the Tigers from 1989–92 before going on to be one of the best bigs in NBA history.

REQUIRED READING: What to know about Angel Reese, star player for defending national champion LSU

But the relationship between the two extends beyond a love for LSU. O'Neal has become a father figure for Reese, even walking her to center court for her senior day ceremony on March 3.

"He’s super inspiring to me," Reese said in an interview with USA TODAY Sports. "He’s so genuine, he’s been there for me through tough times. He just gets it, and there’s not a more perfect person for me to be tight with. We have fun, and if I need anything, he would help me … and he would do that even if I never played basketball again. He doesn’t care about me as a player, he cares about me as a person."

O'Neal averaged 21.6 points and 13.5 rebounds in 90 games over three seasons with the Tigers, winning SEC Player of the Year for the 1991-92 season. Reese, who also has one of the best nicknames in any sport — "Bayou Barbie" — is averaging 19.1 points, 13.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game for LSU, who is 28-5 this season, including 13-3 in SEC play.

She has played a huge role in the Tigers' season as they attempt to make a deep run in March Madness. With that, here's everything you need to know of their relationship:

Is Angel Reese related to Shaquille O'Neal?

No, Reese and O'Neal are not related.

Reese did call O'Neal "uncle" in April 2023 as the former LSU and NBA star came to her defense of Keith Olbermann. The LSU women's star saying on X (formerly Twitter), "Yeah my uncle Shaq don’t play bout me. Period."

Reese seems to have called O'Neal "uncle" as a term of endearment.

REQUIRED READING: Why LSU women's basketball can/can't reach Final Four in 2024 March Madness predictions

Angel Reese-Shaquille O'Neal relationship, explained

Reese and O'Neal's relationship began when the former hosted O'Neal's daughter Me'Arah — who would later commit to Florida — for an official visit to LSU on Feb. 25, 2023. Ahead of the Tigers' game vs. Mississippi State, Shaquille O'Neal made a challenge to Reese: get 20 points and 20 rebounds.

Reese responded with 23 points and 26 rebounds on 8-of-18 shooting in the 74-59 victory.

Since then, the two have formed a bond over basketball and business. In October 2023, Reese signed an endorsement deal with Reebok, becoming the brand's first signing since O'Neal was named president of Reebok Basketball.

"For my first appointment in this role, it had to be the GOAT," O'Neal said. "There is no one making a bigger impact on the game right now than Angel Reese."

Reese is also expected to provide design input and product feedback on the larger Reebok Basketball re-launch, which is coming in 2025. Her own line is coming soon and after that, a signature shoe is in the works for Reese.

"I am honored to be working closely with one of my longtime mentors, Shaq, along with a brand that I have admired since I was just a little kid,” Reese said. “It means the world to me that they trust in me to extend their legacy to a new generation.”

REQUIRED READING: What is Kim Mulkey's salary as LSU women's basketball coach?

Reese told USA TODAY that O'Neal also helped advised her as she took a "break" from the LSU team earlier in the 2023-24 season. She described her absence as a "mutual decision" between her and coach Kim Mulkey, who has refused to comment on Angel's absence.

Specifically, Reese said O'Neal advised her on her social media presence during her absence, saying anything she posted would be dissected.

"One thing I always remember he said is, I have the world at my (fingertips). I could post right now on Instagram that I bought a million dollar home and people are going to believe it, because that’s how social media works," she said. "So when all of that was happening, he was coaching me up."

O'Neal also called Reese after the recent fight in the LSU-South Carolina matchup in the SEC Tournament championship.

"I called her and I said, ‘You did the right thing. Trust me, you did the right thing, because if would have went out there, they would have been looking for you," O'Neal said of her conversation to For the Win. "You and [Kamilla] Cardoso get into a shoving match. She’s already ejected. Can’t play in the next round. That would have happened to you. It would have been all your fault.’

"So, she did the right thing. Kudos to her."

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Angel Reese-Shaquille O'Neal relationship: LSU stars bonded over basketball