Shaquille O’Neal finds himself in the midst of a social media storm following his recent comments about WNBA player Angel Reese's attire.
During a recent episode of her podcast "Unapologetically Angel," O’Neal, 52, delved into the disparities between men's and women's basketball, pondering the potential impact of lowering the rims on the WNBA.
Discussing Reese's choice of attire at the Wild 'N Out Live Tour in Chicago, O’Neal humorously suggested, "Imagine you in the same little shorts you had on at the Wild 'N Out show dunking. You know how many T-shirts you’re gonna sell?"
Reese appeared visibly uncomfortable with the comments, prompting O’Neal to add that he personally wouldn't purchase the T-shirt in question.
"You’re not beautiful or good-looking — you are gorgeous," O’Neal remarked. "There’s a lot of gorgeous women in the NBA."
Following the podcast episode, O’Neal faced a barrage of online criticism for his remarks.
One social media user expressed concern, stating, "Angel Reese learned a painful lesson about men through Shaq in real time, I fear," while another criticized O’Neal for failing her, referring to him as the man she called uncle who "could not help himself."
Reese has yet to publicly address the backlash stemming from O’Neal's comments.
Earlier this year, Reese, the seventh overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, had previously referred to O’Neal as a "father figure" who she found "super inspiring."
In an interview with USA Today in January, Reese praised O’Neal, saying, "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."
Reese highlighted the enjoyable moments spent with O’Neal, emphasizing his unwavering support, stating, "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."
Corroborating Reese's sentiments, O’Neal reciprocated the admiration, likening Reese to his own daughters. O’Neal, a father of five (sons Myles, Shareef, and Shaqir, and daughters Amirah, Me’arah, and Taahirah), expressed his protective instincts towards Reese.
"Coming from where she’s coming from, sometimes you need that extra protector, and that was me," O’Neal shared in an interview with VIBE. "I always let her know, 'Anybody messing with you, holler at me.' When she was going through her thing with Kim Mulkey, I was the one that got on the phone and was like, 'Hey, this is how you handle it, relax,' and she did a wonderful, beautiful job."
The evolving situation has sparked conversations about gender dynamics in sports and the importance of respectful dialogue within the athletic community.
As the controversy unfolds, the sports world eagerly awaits further developments and potential responses from both Shaquille O’Neal and Angel Reese.
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