Shaquille O’Neal’s Daughter Honors Gun Violence Victim Who Makes Inspiring USC Comeback

Recently, a heroic story came to light of a 19-year-old basketball player. Aaliyah Gayles made her highly awaited comeback to the USC basketball court. As a victim of gun violence, her comeback wasn’t even on the cards for many people when the unfortunate incident occurred in 2022.

However, defying all odds, she has joined her team and is being shown the utmost respect by people for the same. Recently, Shaquille O’Neal‘s daughter honored the 19-year-old for doing the impossible.

Shaquille O’Neal’s daughter honors Aaliyah Gayles

Me’Arah O’Neal, Shaq’s 17-year-old daughter, was recently in a conversation with ESPN where other members of her family were also interviewed. During the conversation, she talked about her hardships and growing up with the dream to follow in her father’s footsteps. Shaq has always maintained that he has a soft side for his daughters and not all his parenting rules apply to them. The 17-year-old is living up to his expectations, and going by her recent Instagram story, she has been raised to have an abundance of compassion.

On April 16, 2022, Gayles was shot several times in Las Vegas during a party. A total of 18 bullet holes were detected, and the doctors concluded that she had been shot nine times and in all her limbs. “The bullets fractured her left forearm and damaged her wrist, her right arm above the elbow, her right thigh bone, her right shin, her right ankle, and her left shin”, ESPN reported. When she recently made her miraculous comeback, it was nothing short of a superhero tale. Me’Arah was among all those who marveled at her comeback. She posted a story on her Instagram, saluting the courage and bravery of the 19-year-old. Me’Arah wrote, “Prada you”, showing that she is proud of the USC athlete for setting an example.

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Shaquille O’Neal’s daughter’s savior

Shaq’s daughter recently gave an interview to ESPN where her journey as an athlete was discussed. Growing up with the fact that her parents are divorced, she explained who helped her out with her training drills. The practice became particularly difficult when the global pandemic hit the world, during that time, it was her stepfather, Pastor Henderson who took the responsibility of her training on his shoulders.

Henderson would prepare makeshift basketball hoops and would join her in training just to encourage her. Soon enough, his tactics started showing results as Me’Arah became regular with her practice regime.

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