Meet Shaquille O’Neal’s 6 Kids, One of Whom Had Open-Heart Surgery – Photos
Shaquille O’Neal, and his children attend the Third Annual Hall of Game Awards hosted by Cartoon Network on February 9, 2013, in Santa Monica, California. | Source: Getty Images
Taahirah O’Neal
Taahirah, Shaquille’s eldest daughter, was born on July 19, 1996, to the NBA star and his ex-girlfriend, Arnetta Yardbourgh.
Taahirah and Shaquille O’Neal attend HBO Premiere For Four-Part Documentary “SHAQ” on November 14, 2022, in Atlanta, Georgia. | Source: Getty Images
Taahirah O’Neal accepts Breaking Barriers Award on behalf of Shaquille O’Neal on September 23, 2023, in Washington, DC. | Source: Getty Images
During a recent conversation with her cousin Marcus, Taahirah admitted she isn’t fond of sports responding to his enthusiasm about a major basketball event.
She has also ruled out dating anyone from the sports world. Reflecting on the topic earlier this year, she explained that growing up surrounded by athletes made such relationships unappealing. She added that it simply wasn’t something she would consider.
Taahirah O’Neal attends HBO Premiere For Four-Part Documentary “SHAQ” on November 14, 2022, in Atlanta, Georgia. | Source: Getty Images
Taahirah’s true passion lies in nature. She has openly shared her love for running a farm in Georgia, embracing a lifestyle far from basketball.
Taahirah O’Neal attends HBO Premiere For Four-Part Documentary “SHAQ” on November 14, 2022, in Atlanta, Georgia. | Source: Getty Images
Myles O’Neal
He said Myles, 27, helps create live sets for his performances. “We always trade songs. We’ve been practicing together.” Shaquille shared that he bought his son his first DJ set and encouraged him to figure things out independently.
“He’d be in a room, and I try to let my kids do everything on their own, so he’d come in, and I’d say, ‘Figure it out,’ and he’d come back with it figured out,” he recalled.
Shareef O’Neal
Shareef followed in his father’s legendary basketball footsteps. However, his sports career has faced significant challenges. In the summer of 2018, Shareef began experiencing unusual chest sensations during basketball practice.
Explaining the condition, sports medicine expert Brian Sutterer noted that “anomalous” means abnormal. In Shareef’s case, the coronary artery was positioned incorrectly, restricting the flow of blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the heart muscle. Left untreated, this could have caused heart failure or even a heart attack.
Moved by his journey, another person shared, “Just you talking about the heart is really heartbreaking… I just go ‘ahh!’ [sic]” Someone else, surprised by Shareef’s career progress, admitted, “I didn’t even realize Shaq had a son playing college ball…”
Fans flooded the comments with support and admiration. One person called him “a true example for a lot of people,” while another declared him “handsome.” Someone else even confessed that Shareef was their “dream crush.”
Shareef’s journey from a life-threatening heart condition to continuing his basketball career showcases resilience, and the will to never give up.
Amirah O’Neal
Amirah is Shaquille’s daughter with TV personality Shaunie O’Neal. Born on November 13, 2001, she inherited her dad’s footsteps, carving out her own name on the court while embracing her creative passions.
Amirah’s basketball journey began when she was 10, and she quickly proved she was more than just her famous father’s daughter. She shone brightly while at Crossroads High School, where she averaged 17.2 points per game as a junior.
Her hard work earned her numerous accolades, including being a three-time All-Gold Coast League selection, a two-time All-State honoree, and receiving All-CIF Team honors three times. In 2019, she was named to the MaxPreps California All-State Girls Team honorable mention and the Cal-Hi Sports Division IV All-State Team.
Amirah chose LSU, a decision strongly influenced by Shaq’s storied career at the university. She majors in Agricultural Business with a focus on International Business, aiming to blend sports and entrepreneurship in the future.
While Amirah’s basketball stats are impressive, she’s equally passionate about the arts. She loves drawing, painting, and cooking, with Mexican cuisine topping her list of favorite foods. In her downtime, she enjoys shopping and binge-watching TV shows.
Her musical tastes lean toward hip-hop and R&B, creating the perfect soundtrack for her busy life. With her drive, talent, and deep-rooted family legacy, she’s poised to excel on and off the court.
Shaqir O’Neal
Shaqir, the youngest son of Shaquille, is steadily building an impressive basketball career. In 2021, Shaqir made headlines when he committed to Texas Southern University, an HBCU celebrated for fostering athletic and academic excellence.
Shaqir O’Neal shoots a free throw during the game between SMU and Florida A&M on November 7, 2024, at Moody Coliseum in Dallas, TX. | Source: Getty Images
On November 7, 2024, he showcased his athletic prowess during a high-stakes game against SMU, confidently sinking free throws and contributing to his team’s efforts.