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Shaquille O'Neal, known for his dominance on the basketball court and savvy business moves, has often expressed his reluctance to take on a mentorship role for NBA players.
Despite his wealth of experience and knowledge, O'Neal has consistently distanced himself from being labeled a "mentor."
However, one person has broken through that wall-Angel Reese, the star of LSU's basketball team, who O'Neal considers his "niece," though they share no biological relation. For Reese, O'Neal has embraced the mentor role fully.
In a recent episode of Unapologetically Angel, the 4-time NBA champion discussed why he doesn't mentor NBA players while simultaneously taking pride in his guidance for Reese. His reasoning for avoiding mentorship in the NBA, however, was both surprising and humorous.
"I don't like it. It's hard to mentor somebody that's making more money than you," Shaq said.
He continued by explaining that, although it shouldn't be about the money, it's difficult to ignore how much today's players are earning compared to his time in the league.
"I have all the answers to the test because I'm one of the reasons why you're getting what you're getting," O'Neal added, reflecting on how NBA greats like Julius 'Dr. J' Erving, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and later Michael Jordan laid the foundation for today's financial boom in basketball.
Shaq pointed out that players today, like Jayson Tatum, are signing contracts worth $315 million over five years, a stark contrast to the $290 million he made over his entire 19-year career.
He emphasized that past players like himself paved the way for the current financial opportunities in the NBA.
"I made it possible for Kobe, DWade, and LeBron, and those guys are making it possible for you," O'Neal said, highlighting the evolution of player earnings.
Angel Reese: Shaq's Exception to the Rule
Though O'Neal hesitates to mentor NBA stars, he has fully embraced the role for Angel Reese. The WNBA star often speaks about how valuable O'Neal's mentorship has been both on and off the court.
During the podcast, Shaq made it clear that his relationship with Reese is strictly professional, stating, "Shaq is Angel's mentor, he would never even cross that line with her."
Despite his reluctance with NBA players, Shaq's history as a mentor is undeniable. Throughout his career, he played alongside legends like Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, and LeBron James.
Wade, in particular, has expressed gratitude for the guidance O'Neal provided him on the business side of sports.
Shaq also made it clear that he's willing to help younger talents develop, saying, "You forgot I played with Penny? You forgot I played with Kobe? You forgot I played with D Wade? Ask them about me."
While O'Neal might be selective about whom he mentors, his willingness to guide Angel Reese and other young athletes shows that he remains a powerful influence both in the world of basketball and beyond.