The uptick of athletes committing to Historically Black Colleges and Universities continues to gain great attention. Early this year, Shaquille O’Neal’s youngest son Shaqir O’Neal announced that he’d be attending Texas Southern University to continue his athletic career as a Division 1 basketball player. Now his sister Amirah O’Neal is doing the same.
According to HBCU Gameday, the daughter of the NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal and reality star Shaunie O’Neal recently revealed that she too would be attending the HBCU located in the state’s capital, like her younger brother.
The 19-year-old had previously been a walk-on at her father’s alma mater, Louisiana State University, but will now be playing under the guidance of Hall of Famer Cynthia Cooper-Dyke. According to her stats, Amirah is a 6’1 post player who averaged 17.2 points per game as a junior during the 2018-2019 season. The Los Angeles native was also a 2019 MaxPreps California All-State Girls Team honorable mention and a two-time All-state honoree.
The athlete, who’s been playing the game since she was 10, confirmed the news on her Instagram account over the weekend with a poster featuring the words “committed.” In her caption, number 34 wrote, “I see the doubt in they faces, they didn’t think I would make it. 🤟🏽.” Friends and family members flooded the comments section with congratulatory remarks, including one user who wrote, “Yessir! Congratulations on your new journey.” That person added, “So so proud of you and what’s to come ❤️.” “That’s right baby girl 😘😘🔥🔥🔥give me all the smoke!!!!” wrote another. A third commented, “We love to see it. Welcome to Tigerland.”
As previously reported, Amirah is the second O’Neal child to commit to the Southern university. Earlier this year, during an interview with Overtime in May, Shaqir, a shooting guard, told reporters that he chose the school because he was looking to “change the narrative” on nationally ranked high school ballplayers who choose to attend HBCUs and “do something new.” The comes as a new wave of athletes are opting to select HBCUs over more prominent colleges in hopes to bring recognition to schools lesser known for their sports programs.
Shaq’s other son Shareef currently plays for Louisiana State University, while their younger sister, Me’Arah, also reportedly has been fielding Division I offers.
