Author: lehang

HomeThe gorgeous lights on stage cannot be more important than family love. Lebron James shares love with family as the most important thing in life

In the realm of basketball, where the court becomes a stage for extraordinary talents and dazzling performances, there exists a unique royalty—the family of a basketball king. Recently, the spotlight shifted from the hardwood to the stage as the family of a basketball icon made a glamorous appearance, showcasing not only their outer radiance but also the priceless love that binds them together in this journey called life.

The court has witnessed the prowess of this basketball monarch for years, but it was a different arena altogether that took center stage—the world of glitz and glam, where each family member sparkled with a magnetic allure. The imagery of their unity and sophistication was akin to a regal spectacle, capturing the attention of fans and fashion enthusiasts alike.

As the basketball virtuoso addressed the audience, he shared a sentiment that resonated beyond the boundaries of the sports arena: “There’s nothing more precious in this life than the love we share within our family.” The sincerity in his words echoed a universal trutҺ, underscoring the significance of familial bonds amidst the often frenetic pace of stardom.

The family’s presence on stage was not merely a visual spectacle; it was a testament to the values that define their collective identity. Each member exuded a distinct charm, contributing to the overall radiance that illuminated the stage. Their attire, carefully chosen and curated, reflected not just a sense of fashion but a shared commitment to elegance and poise.

Beyond the glitz, the basketball monarch took a moment to peel back the layers of fаme and reveаl the heart of his fulfillment—the love and support of his family. He emphasized that while achievements on the court may glitter like gold, the true richness of life lies in the shared joys, laughter, and unwavering support of those closest to us.

The appearance of the basketball king’s family on stage marked a departure from the traditional narrative of sports stardom. It shed light on the often overlooked aspect of athletes’ lives—their roles as parents, siblings, and partners. In doing so, it served as a poignant reminder that even the most celebrated figures grapple with the same emotions and priorities as everyone else.

In a world where fаme can be fleeting and victories on the court transitory, the enduring love and unity of a family become the anchor that grounds the basketball royalty. As the curtain fell on this dazzling display, the audience was left not only with the image of a glamorous family but also with a profound understanding that, in the grand tapestry of life, the threads of love and family are the most precious jewels.

Follow us to see more useful information, as well as to give us more motivation to update more useful information for you.
Source: USA Today

WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes has repeatedly made headlines for her remarks about Caitlin Clark, mostly offering negative commentary on the Indiana Fever rookie.

Her latest comments, where she discussed the Fever but deliberately left out Clark’s name, caught the attention of Stephen A. Smith.

Swoopes, one of the greatest in women’s basketball, was the first player signed to the WNBA.

She is a three-time WNBA MVP, a four-time champion and was honored as one of the league’s Top 15 Players of All Time at the 2011 WNBA All-Star Game.

Stephen A. Smith took issue with Swoopes’ omission of Caitlin Clark’s name during her praise of the Fever on the “Queens of the Court” podcast, where she said:

“I think the Olympic break really helped Indiana. I’m going to shout out Lexi Hull. I’m a big Lexi Hull fan. Lexi Hull shot the leather off the ball in their game against Seattle.

Kelsey Mitchell is just stroking. She’s just shooting the basketball. Aliyah Boston—almost a triple-double! If Indiana continues to play the way they’re playing like this, they too are going to move up in the standings.”

Smith also said that someone of Swoopes’ stature in basketball should not be deliberately hating on up-and-coming players.

“Respectfully, Sheryl Swoopes, do you have any idea how that makes you look? Do you have any idea how that serves to stain any kind of critique of Caitlin Clark? Because that gives fodder to those who believe she’s being hated on and ostracized to some degree,” Smith said.

“You’re insane to do that. Let me tell you why you’re insane to do that. Because, Cheryl Swoopes, you’re one of the greatest players ever in the history of basketball… You know basketball. You know basketball better than me. You know basketball better than any of the pundits.”

Smith argued that intentionally leaving out Clark’s name was outright crazy.

“You know basketball better than most of the men that play basketball. There is no way in hell you just accidentally left Caitlin Clark’s name out of that soliloquy you dropped about the Indiana Fever. Stop it. You know that. Stop it.”

This wasn’t the first time Sheryl Swoopes downplayed Caitlin Clark’s influence on the Fever

In a July 30 episode of her podcast “Queens of the Court,” Swoopes questioned whether Clark’s impact on the Fever was overstated, noting the team’s strong roster.

“Is Indiana in the playoffs right now, without Caitlin?…When you look at the overall team, like the pieces that they have, without question, Indiana has better players than Chicago from top to bottom. No doubt about it,” she said.

According to Basketball Reference, the Fever’s offensive rating is 104.9 with Caitlin Clark on the floor, dropping to 104.1 without her.

Clark is averaging 17.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and a league-leading 8.3 assists this season. She set the single-game record for assists (19) and became the first rookie in WNBA history to record a triple-double.

She also set the record for most assists in a season by a rookie.

With 12 games remaining, the Caitlin Clark-led Fever have strong playoff chances.

They have tallied a 13-15 record, placing them seventh in the league, which is a playoff spot.

Just above them are the 15-14 Phoenix Mercury, featuring stars like Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner and Kahleah Copper, while below them are the 11-16 Chicago Sky, led by Angel Reese.

Follow us to see more useful information, as well as to give us more motivation to update more useful information for you.

Source: USA Today

In the whirlpool of a stirring tennis drama, Nick Kyrgios‘ next target is Rafael Nadal‘s uncle, Toni Nadal. Reason? Kyrgios thinks the veteran coach differentiates among players. Following his opinion, the Aussie player raises a big question mark on the critics’ favoritism. As he drops his recent statement, the Jannik Sinner controversy refuses to die down.

Kyrgios, known for his outspoken nature took a dig at Rafael Nadal’s uncle Toni Nadal’s statement. He spoke about Sinner’s failure in doping tests. Toni Nadal supported Sinner, stating that he didn’t believe the Italian would do something like that, and he also mentioned how Sinner paid the price with 400 points and withdrawal of the prize money. However, Toni’s opinion didn’t sit well with the Aussie player, and he made a sarcastic twee on X.

According to him, Toni Nadal spoke in favor of Sinner since he is a star player, currently the world no 1. Kyrgios believes if it was him in the position of Sinner, Toni Nadal might not have raised similar support for the Australian. “If this was me do you think Toni Nadal would come out and defend me? Players know that I ain’t about cheating. Ridiculous,” said Kyrgios.

If this was me do you think Toni Nadal would come out and defend me? Players know that I ain’t about cheating. Ridiculous 😂

— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) August 26, 2024

Kyrgios expressed disapproval about how ATP treated Sinner’s case. He has shared his disdain about Sinner’s case several times since the issue began. Previously, while commentating for ESPN at the US Open, Kyrgios lashed out at Sinner and said that, according to him, the Italian should be “gone for two years.”

Kyrgios had a hard time believing Sinner’s innocence. He also tweeted information from the BALCO chemist Victor Conte, who believed “A player can go home or to the hotel after a game, use a testosterone cream, gel or patch, and it will be undetectable by the time he goes to the ballpark the next day. I think these guys are using testosterone every single day of the week.” Kyrgios’ tweets directly hit at Sinner, showing how he believes Sinner’s involvement in the ordeal.

His venting against Sinner wasn’t limited to sharing his thoughts on the matter. He also dismissed former players who supported the Italian, offering their insights on the matter. For example, Kyrgios bashed Andy Roddick for supporting Sinner.

Nick Kyrgios called Roddick’s theory about Jannik Sinner’s doping case “ridiculous“

People aware of Nick Kyrgios’ personality know that Sinner is on the bad side of Kyrgios’ wrath, given the Aussie player has blacklisted him. Recently, Andy Roddick shared his opinion on Sinner’s case and said, “I have never received a massage with gloves in my entire life. This is not normal, it is psychotic stuff. I imagine he tried to dope. Well, it would be the worst attempt ever. He did not get any benefit, the amount is equal to less than a grain of salt,” further saying he lost in the Indian Wells and in the Miami Open following his positive tests.

Roddick’s opinion received a huge backlash from Kyrgios, who said, “Do you understand how quickly this stuff exits your system? Cream, gummies literally hours. Ridiculous statement.” Kyrgios also mentioned how quickly Clostebol exists the player’s systems literally in hours to defend his side.

Novak Djokovic’s first match at the 2024 US Open came fairly late in the schedule, and while he wasn’t happy with it, he had to make the most of it, and he did by winning.

Djokovic’s match was the second one at the Arthur Ashe Stadium as part of the night session, which begins at 7 p.m. local time. It’s not the ideal time for him because he prefers to play matches earlier.

The 37-year-old has a dedicated routine, which has him wind down from a day fairly early and go to bed early as well. When he has a late match like this, he can’t really do that, and it throws his rhyhtm off.

He was getting ready to get onto the court at around 8:15 p.m., but the previous match extended quite a bit. Sloane Stephens was facing Clara Burel and was up 6-0, 3-0, and serving, making Djokovic think he would play soon.

He wouldn’t because the American lost that big lead in the second set, which sent the match into a third set that proved to be quite long, as Stephens shockingly lost that match 6-3, 5-7, 5-7.

Djokovic stepped onto the court almost two hours later than expected, which wasn’t ideal. It was almost 10 p.m., and his intent was to keep it brief, as he detailed after the match.

“Well, I don’t think that aging helps really staying so late and playing very late. I can feel, you know, my batteries are low now. I’m shutting down. But it’s been a long wait, to be honest.”

“I thought I’m going to go out on the court, like, 8:15 p.m. because Stephens was 6-Love, 3-Love serving and then all of a sudden it turns out to be a two and a half hour match or whatever. Yeah, you just have to accept it, I guess.”

Djokovic was very aggressive and attacked Radu Albot at every chance, which resulted in the two opening sets ending 6-2 and 6-2. He won the final set 6-4 as he struggled to break his opponent’s serve more than once.

He still kept the match relatively short, avoiding a post-midnight finish. Even with his grievances about late finishes, Djokovic enjoys the night session.

It’s a special feeling to play the night session on the Arthur Ashe Stadium, but he prefers to be the first match because it allows him to finish the match at a more decent time. Finishes like this one, close to midnight, are generally something he tries to avoid.

“Those are the instances where you’re scheduled second after 7:00, 7:30 or whatever the start was. I like playing night matches, but I love to start first. So, yeah, hopefully I get more chances to play at night and am scheduled first so we can start at a more decent time and finish at a more decent time.”

“I guess for the fans there is something special about this late-night finishes, particularly post-midnight. For us I don’t know. It’s not really what you want, but, you know, if you get a W, then it’s all good.”

Thiem Outlines His Plans For When He Retires After US Open Farewell

What is the one thing that successful NBA players have in common? Be it LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal, or Kevin Durant, all had strong mothers supporting and cheering them on every step of the way. While Shaq has often credited his mother Lucille for molding him into the person he became, this time around he had special praise reserved for Stephen Curry’s mother, Sonya Curry.

Steph has often said that he got his toughness and grittiness from his mother. Anyone acquainted with Sonya Curry’s antics would wholeheartedly agree that the loud, energetic woman in the stands has all that and more. So, it was only fitting that she got credit for her contribution in gifting the world one of the greatest shooters ever.

Sonya and Lucille are co-hosts for the show  The two also bring other celebrity parents on their show and share insights into how it watching their children grow into larger-than-life personalities and global stars. The show also offers fans a peak of what it took for their mothers to go from a certain place in their journey and reach the status they have today.

On the 25 August edition of “Raising Fame”, co-hosted by Sonya and Lucille, Shaq joined the two mothers in the discussion, and as we moved toward the end of the episode, the 4-time NBA Champion took a moment to show his appreciation for Sonya Curry as a mother.

“I want to commend you. Your kids are fabulous. Especially my favorite player. I love and respect him because our stories are kinda similar, but not really. I came in, I had a lot of hype. He had a little bit of hype but you know he earned everything that he’s getting… So I want to commend you and Dell for doing a beautiful job. I met all your kids, they’re perfect, they’re fabulous,” the ‘Big Diesel’ said to Sonya.

The 4x champion was certainly right about Steph Curry not coming in without much hype. While not on the same scale as Bronny James, a young Curry had to face his fair share of ridicule because his father, Dell Curry, was an NBA player.

His modest height meant he didn’t attract the attention of major colleges. He enrolled at the relatively smaller Davidson College in North Carolina and soon made Division I college teams who passed him over due to his size, regret their decision. In his first year at Davidson in 2006/07, he surpassed the program’s all-time points record by a freshman, ending the year with 730 points. In his sophomore year, he would lead Davidson to the Elite Eight and displayed a knack for 3-pointers. In 2009, he was picked by the Warriors and was part of a young core that would go on to become a dynasty.

Early in his career, the now 35-year-old naturally being an introvert did not help his case much, either. But he overcame all of that to become a globally recognized and respected athlete. And who paved the way for that? None other than his parents, with his mother Sonya playing a key role.

In 2013, he told SF Gate, that despite his father being an NBA player, he believed a lot of his abilities were due to his mother. “A lot of people say whatever defensive abilities I have, I get from her.” 

“She’s a strong woman. Growing up in an NBA household, with my dad being on the road a lot, she did a great job with me and my siblings. She deserves a lot of credit for how we turned out.” 

When Curry was starting he felt the pressure of following his father into the NBA. During a travel-team tournament in Las Vegas, Division I college coaches were present to watch a young Curry and others in action. But the occasion got to him and he had a bad game. He came back to the hotel room upset and thinking he ruined his chances. It was there he found his mother by his side and her words gave him belief.

“She told me to keep my head up and keep working, that I might not see it now but that someone is watching how I handle the situation,” Stephen said. “She said to be patient and keep my eyes open and it will be clear as day where I’m supposed to be.” Davidson offered him a scholarship and he went there.

Sonya also took the step of taking her son and his siblings to a Montessori school she started. This inculcated independence and accountability in him and Steph credits that early education for instilling confidence in him. It was not only the moral support Curry got from his mother, who herself was a three-sport athlete in high school and played volleyball at Virginia Tech.

The Warriors star was in middle school when he was going through a bad patch as a poor runner. To fix this, Sonya put him through a two-week boot camp to improve his form. Curry admitted he “hated it, but it taught me work ethic.”

Hence, Shaq giving Sonya Curry her flowers is no surprise, given how she has raised her children with discipline and encouraged them to take on challenges. Apart from the praise and appreciation of her strength as a mother, Shaq also made a promise to Sonya.

Shaq promises to protect Stephen Curry

O’Neal had mentioned something else while he was praising Sonya Curry for her wondrous work in raising the Curry kids. He talked about how Curry earned his reputation saying, “ That’s why I love watching him play. I will always protect him and I’ll always be a big brother.”

Shaq has often been full of praise for Steph Curry. Last year in December during an episode of NBA on TNT he said that Curry is already the greatest shooter of all time, but it’s high time he is part of another conversation.

“I know he’s the greatest shooter of all time, but I wonder if (Curry) is already in the conversation for being the greatest player ever. O’Neal went on to add, “Of course, that’s why he’s my favorite player to watch. I’ve played 20 years, I’ve won championships…but I haven’t seen anybody like him.” 

We have also heard Shaq humorously refer to himself as “Black Steph Curry,” saying that he feels like the Warriors star if he manages to shoot one 3-pointer out of his many tries at the gym. This should really tell us the high regard and affection O’Neal has for Stephen Curry and his family.

Winning titles is a family affair for Novak Djokovic! At least the ‘winning’ part of it is something that equally excites him and his children. But what happens when you lose something you worked extremely hard for? Well, it gets scary. The Serb, who won the elusive gold at the Paris Olympics this season, has arrived in New York for his next adventure. Upon his arrival, Nole touched down on an incident that gave him a jump scare.

While talking to ‘Forbes’, the Serb indulged the outlet with a recent mishap. Hoping to carry his gold medal with him to the US Open, Djokovic realized his children had unfortunately misplaced his most prized possession. He searched for it everywhere but later came to terms that his two children hid it, forcing him to travel without the gold. “I forgot it because my kids hid it somewhere. So, then I was panicking because I had to take it,” he said. However, he was relieved a day later.

After amusingly troubling their dad, the family found the medal. Though the Serb had already flown to Flushing Meadows by then, they sent his chattel via Djokovic’s physiotherapist who traveled to the venue a day after. Moreover, Nole had a good reason to feel anxious.

The ‘Serbinator’ was due to showcase his gold medal at the Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day. Thankfully, he was able to do justice to his commitments after making a head-turning appearance at the much-anticipated event on August 25.

Having furnished himself with every accolade there is, all of Djokovic’s dreams have come to life. While most believe this can thwart his motivation to continue dominating, they need a revision. The Serb has published a stern warning to his competitors ahead of the hardcourt Slam.

Novak Djokovic is fueled with “competitive spirit” to defend his US Open title

Djokovic was electrified to clinch his maiden Olympic medal in Paris. And now, there is no doubt that he is gunning for a successful title defense in New York. The No. 2 seed is slated to commence his campaign on the back of his laudable achievement. Talking in a pre-tournament presser, Nole reserved a few words for his contestants while expressing his desire to continue ‘making more history.’

“I still feel the drive, the competitive spirit. Still want to make more history and enjoy myself on the Tour. I still hope to inspire many young people to watch tennis, play tennis. Those are some of the reasons why I still keep on going. Grand Slams are the pillars of our sport. They are the most important historical tennis events that we have. So if you don’t get pumped and inspired to play your best tennis at Grand Slams, it’s hard to do that anywhere else,” he said.

Djokovic was on a mission when he met Albot in the US Open first round.

Novak Djokovic sent out a funny warning just before the start of his US Open match against Radu Albot as the Serbian tennis superstar revealed he was on a mission to “avenge” his brothers.

Although Djokovic is 37 and former world No. 39 Albot is 34 years old, they never met before on the Tour. But when they finally did on Monday evening in New York, No. 2 seed Djokovic clinched a dominant 6-2 6-2 6-4 win.

Novak Djokovic© YouTube screenshot

While Albot may have lost to the defending US Open champion he had wins over a Djokovic in the past – the Moldovan Marko Djokovic 6-4 6-3 at the 2012 Sarajevo Challenger before also coming back from a set down to defeat Djordje Djokovic 3-6 6-3 6-2 the following year at the Bergamo Challenger.

“I’ve done my homework – actually both of my younger brothers faced him and they both lost to him, so hopefully I can avenge my brothers tonight (laughs),” Djokovic said just before entering the court.

2012 Sarajevo Challenger R1
Radu Albot d. Marko Djokovic 6-4 6-3

2013 Bergamo Challenger R1
Radu Albot d. Djordje Djokovic 3-6 6-3 6-2

2024 US Open R1
Novak Djokovic d. Radu Albot 6-2 6-2 6-4

He really did avenge his brothers a decade later, in the exact same round. Amazing.

— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) August 27, 2024

Djokovic routinely handled Albot

Through the first three games, qualifier Albot led 2-1. Then, Djokovic went on to win the next five games and take the first set in a very impressive way.

At the start of the second set, Djokovic blew an early break but remained unfazed as he broke Albot two more times to easily open a two-set lead.

In the third set, it took a bit longer for the Serb to break Albot but he managed to do so in the seventh game and then just held on to his serve for the remainder of the match.

“I wanted to kick start the tournament in the right way and I think I did. Some ups and downs which I think is normal, getting the rust off your shoulders coming off a different surface and the Olympic Games. I haven’t played on hard courts for six months, so I’m still finding that groove, finding the tempo on the court,” Djokovic said after the match.

Djokovic plays next against fellow Serb and world No. 109 Laslo Djere.

 

Serena Williams’ husband Alexis Ohanian wooed the tennis legend on their first date when he steered the conversation to one key topic: Marvel movies.

Williams, widely considered the greatest female tennis player of all time, first met Ohanian during the 2015 Italian Open before the Reddit co-founder proposed two years later.

The couple have been married since November 2017, one month after welcoming their first child – daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr.

They then had a second daughter – Adira River Ohanian – last August.

In the latest installment of her ESPN+ docuseries ‘In The Arena’, both Williams and Ohanian relived their memorable first date nine years ago,

which saw the 23-time Grand Slam winner arrive with her agent and assistant.

Alexis described the evening as a ‘two hour interrogation’ before he managed to win Serena over by bringing up Marvel’s historic superhero franchise.

But the American entrepreneur and investor first said: ‘Serena, her assistant, her agent, and then me on the other said of the table, and they just bombarded me with questions.

‘It was like two hours of interrogation and questions. Do I have kids, am I married. Nothing was off limits.’

Williams referenced her current agent Jill Smoller and laughed: ‘Jill asked him straight up like, “What’s up with your girlfriend?” and he’s like, “I don’t have a girlfriend.”

‘He was saying that he had broken up with her. It changed things when he said that because I was like, ok, now he’s not being this beast.’

She then added: ‘During dinner he started talking about Iron Man and Marvel, and that’s the way to my heart.’

Ohanian recalled: ‘This wasn’t just a superficial, “Hey I’ve watched a few movies.” This is, “I have deeply studied the text and I have strong opinions about this lore.”‘

Smoller, who also features in the docuseries, said: ‘It was so fascinating because they both loved the same thing. He was into sci-fi and cartoons and superheroes and I’m like… she can finally talk to someone who likes the things that she does.’

After sharing their love for superheroes and sci-fi on the date, Williams and Ohanian eventually got engaged in early January 2017.

Later that month the women’s tennis great claimed victory at the Australian Open while pregnant with their first daughter.

Follow us to see more useful information, as well as to give us more motivation to update more useful information for you.

Source: Tampa Bay Times

The duo that Milwaukee expected to see a blast from delivered a series of underwhelming performances last season. However, with a whole postseason under their belts, Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo gear up to show off their true colors this time. The point of concern is that it seems Dame does not have much hope for his scoring partner. The Bucks point guard shared his Top 5 players from the NBA a couple of days ago on the Club 520 pod. Surprisingly, he put his teammate Giannis in fifth place! Though putting The Greek Freak in the first place would not be completely illogical, he still chose others.

An ESPN employee feels the same as he called out the drawbacks. Co-host Darrick recently appeared alongside Kenny Beecham on Numbers on the Board to express his views on the duo. However, a shocking opinion emerged, “Put the right team around him; I ain’t got nobody like Giannis to take the ball out of his hands.” What they implied here is that Antetokounmpo is the one to take assistance from Dame, limiting the veteran’s chance to score.

However, surprisingly, the Greek Freak is coming off a field goal percentage of 61.1%, averaging 30.4 points last season. These staggering numbers don’t just come with assistance. It is the duo, not Dame or Giannis alone.

The same thought ran through host Kenny Beecham’s mind as he could not control himself, stating, “Hell No! …Dame is a good role player to win a Championship and not Dame and Giannis?” It was utterly confusing for Kenny too, since the former Blazer did get the chance to fully prove his mettle last postseason. He did it… to some extent.

USA Today via Reuters

In Game 1 against the Pacers, he scored 35 points to get the lead for the Bucks. However, the Game 2 loss despite the 34-point haul and Dame’s Achilles injury in the following game brought the Bucks down to their knees. Notably, Giannis was not there the whole time because of the strain of the soleus muscle in his left calf. So Kenny was spot on about only one was not enough for them to win the Championship. However, what followed from Darrick left the panel once again stunned in their seats.

Not Damian Lillard, but Jaylen Brown is the best role player, as per the ESPN employee!

Quite confused with Darrick’s take on Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kenny asked Darrick about the best role player in the NBA. And the response from the ESPN employee was, “I would probably go with like Jaylen Brown.” JB, as a role player remark, seemed insane to the host as he showcased the Finals MVP status of the Celtics star in disbelief. Jaylen Brown has got an impressive 35.4% shooting from the deep, along with a 49.9% field goal percentage! That’s just pure offensive aura right there.

He didn’t have a skyrocketing assist record last season averaging 3.6 in a game. He is more of a scorer and is active on the defensive end because of his athleticism. Jayson Tatum could be a better fit since he has better playmaking numbers. However, it is worth noting that the Olympian is more of a defender than a playmaker.

On the other hand, Damian Lillard is a pure playmaker with a 7-assist average last season, with Giannis Antetokounmpo alongside him with 6.5. So, it is exactly what the host Kenny pointed out. Dame and Giannis are the role players to make the Bucks a Championship contender, not one of them alone!

Back in December 2018, Shareef O’Neal underwent open-heart surgery to treat an anomalous coronary artery diagnosis. What did Shaquille O’Neal tell his son before they took him to the OR? “Bro, when you wake up, I’m gonna be the first [person] you see. Trust me. If you don’t wake up, I’m coming right behind you…”

Well, Shareef did wake up after successful surgery and has since been trying to return to his top form in basketball. But when that meant having to move about 7,500 miles away from home, Shaq wasn’t completely on board. Having almost lost Shareef once in 2018 (after he couldn’t be at the doctor’s appointment where his son was diagnosed), the Lakers legend wasn’t ready to be more than a few miles away from the 24-year-old. And so, he offered Shareef a job.

In a conversation on the Then They Rose podcast, the host asked Shareef, “Since you’re not so much into the basketball thing anymore, what’s next for you?” Shareef replied, “I’m still playing basketball. I played my first pro year the season before [2023-24],” referring to his stint with the G League Ignite. Following that, he “was gonna go play basketball in Australia for this year, and things started to change with my family… in a good way.”

At the time (October 2023), Shaquille O’Neal was named the president of Reebok’s basketball operations. Allen Iverson joined the Big Aristotle as the vice president for the $2.46 billion-worth brand’s basketball wing. Tasked with rebranding and reimagining the company, Shaq felt his son would be a valuable addition to the team, which he proposed when they met on Thanksgiving last year.

“I was getting ready to go to Australia in late December,” Shareef recalled on the podcast. Describing his meeting with Shaq, the 24-year-old said, “We’re sitting. He’s like, ‘Australia’s far. You know you don’t have to go to Australia.’ And I’m like, ‘Yeah.’” But on the inside, Shareef knew he wanted to. “I kind of just wanted to move. I don’t know why, but I was like, ‘Let me just go try something new,’” he revealed. That was when his father told him about his appointment as the president of Reebok. And asked for a favor.

“He’s like, ‘Can you do me a favor this year? Can you help me rebrand Reebok? I’ll let you help redesign the shoes… redesign the clothes and help sign players. I really need your help.” Back in the 80s – as surprising as it may seem – Reebok had overtaken Nike as the No.1 athletics brand in the world. In fact, in 1989, Reebok made $1.82 billion in sales compared to Nike’s $1.71 billion. However, by signing a particular someone named Michael Jordan, Nike caught Reebok off guard. The brand hasn’t seen the same success since.

While Reebok did sign Shaquille O’Neal and Allen Iverson in the 90s, hoping to have the same effect as Nike and Jordan, that didn’t happen. In the meantime, Adidas overtook Reebok, too. Three decades later, the scene hasn’t changed much for the company, but when it named Shaq the president of basketball operations, he came with one goal: “We’re getting back into basketball.”

via Getty

Seeing how much this meant to his father and all his family had done for Shareef, the 24-year-old said, “I wasn’t gonna go to Australia and move 16 hours away from my family.” Shareef underwent his open-heart surgery during his first year at UCLA. When he transferred to LSU after recovering, he suffered foot injuries in 2020 and 2021. Then, he played for the Lakers in the 2022 Summer League, averaging 4.7 points and 3.7 rebounds. However, it wasn’t enough for him to get drafted into the NBA, and this is where the Ignite came in.

Reportedly, Shareef signed a six-figure deal with the G League Ignite in the summer of 2022. He played in 20 games in 2022-23, averaging 5.6 points and 3.2 rebounds. However, this was also short-lived, as the league had its last game on March 28 before ending its operations. Now that Shareef O’Neal has taken a year off from basketball to help his father with Reebok, he has the same goal as Shaq. But he’s also working toward another goal, one he promised to fulfill after his stint with Reebok.

Shareef and Shaquille O’Neal are “doing a really good job” with Reebok

In May this year, Shareef tweeted, “Guys, I’ve been working along side my father with rebranding Reebok… and we will get it back to the top. I WILL BE HOOPING AGAIN, I know I’ve been missing and haven’t been posting what I’m doing, but I did not stop! I will be back soon! Just want to help out my dad.”

From what he said on the podcast, it looks like the father-son duo are close to achieving the first thing. “We’re doing a really good job. I say that by the time 2025 starts, Reebok will be up there with the rest of these brands. I’m glad I contributed to that,” he revealed. As for the second thing he mentioned in his tweet – getting back to basketball soon – there have been rumors that the 24-year-old could potentially be joining Waverley in the NBL. But there have also been talks of him leaving the sport.

Well, the first one is true. However, the second rumor isn’t. “As long as I play basketball every day, I’m good. I plan to go back to basketball one day, but it’s good to take this year off and help my dad,” he said. “I’m happy where I am right now. Still in shape; I can still compete against anybody in the world, I believe, which is also cool that I’m doing networking, working, and still working out at the same time.”

As part of the Reebok family, Shareef’s job is to help people reconnect with the brand. Now that we know this, we cannot wait to see what Reebok has in store for its fans in the coming years.