Shaquille O’Neal and Angel Reese’s special bond was on display during LSU women’s basketball senior day ceremony on Sunday.
O’Neal, a Basketball Hall of Famer and former All-American with LSU in the early 1990s, escorted Reese and her mother onto the court at Sunday’s ceremony.
Last year’s NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player initially met Shaq at an LSU football game. Since then, the two LSU basketball stars have grown close, with O’Neal becoming a mentor to the young star.
After winning the NCAA championship last year, Reese said she got advice from Shaq about dealing with her newfound national recognition.
‘He just said, people are gonna hate me, people are not gonna like me, people are gonna feel some type of way because they wish they were me, they’re gonna judge me,’ she told USA TODAY in January.
She said at the time she planned to ask O’Neal to walk with her and her mother at senior day. He was there in Baton Rouge Sunday afternoon.
The No. 7 LSU Tigers defeated the Kentucky Wildcats in Sunday’s game, 77-56.
Is Shaq related to Angel Reese?
O’Neal and Reese are not related. The two have formed a very strong bond in recent years that led to Shaq’s presence at LSU’s senior day ceremony.
Angel Reese points per game
In 25 games this season, Reese is averaging 19 points and 13 rebounds per game while shooting at 49.5% efficiency from the floor.