Being a child of an NBA legend can be tougher sometimes. The pressure on these young athletes to follow in their fathers’ footsteps is enormous. Shareef O’Neal, Shaquille O’Neal’s son, is going through something similar and must be under a great deal of pressure because of the name on his back.

However, Shaq’s son is one step closer to that lifelong dream of making it to the NBA. After showing flashes of brilliance in the Summer League where he suited for the LA Lakers, Shareef recently signed a six-figure contract to play for the Nevada-based G League Ignite next season.

This is a promising next chapter for Shareef, who has overcome numerous barriers to get to where he is today. Shaquille O’Neal is proud of his son for forging his own path. A former NBA player, though, believes Shareef will have to quit playing off the O’Neal name and put in more work.

Robert Horry offers some pearls of advice for Shaquille O’Neal’s son

Robert Horry knows a thing or two about winning. He is a player whose career is littered with NBA silverware. In fact, the Rockets legend has lifted 7 NBA titles in his career, one more than the NBA legend Michael Jordan himself.

Horry is the embodiment of ascending from obscurity. Shareef finds himself in a similar situation, as he still has a long road ahead before reaching the pinnacle like his father. Horry offered advice-cum-reality check for the young gun on his podcast, ‘Big Shot Bob Pod.’

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Father Shaquille O’Neal Believes Shareef Might Become as Good as Giannis Antetokounmpo but “Needs His Motor”

He said, “I was watching him (Shareef) when he was with the Lakers. I was there at the facility doing something and I was watching him practice. And the guy that the Lakers just signed, the tall white guy they just signed…Shareef was guarding this dude and Shareef was just letting this dude do whatever he wants.”

“I picked up my phone and I was getting ready to call Shaq like ‘Yo man, you gotta tell your son…he can’t be playing off the damn O’Neal name. He gotta go out there and play.’ You gotta put forth some more effort man. You know Shareef’s such a nice kid, that I don’t know if he has that dog in him to go out there and take what he wants,” he added.

“From that moment I watched him, I was like ‘Oh you coming down, you hiding from the ball, you’re not being aggressive…and people look at this. He got the talent but he gotta take what he wants.” 

Robert Horry had some tough words of advice for Shareef. He is, however, accurate. Having the name O’Neal on your back carries its own weight. Shareef possesses the talent, but he must put forth more effort if he is to unleash his maximum potential.

The tall white guy Horry mentioned may have cost Shareef O’Neal the Lakers contract

Jay Huff is the tall white guy mentioned by Robert Horry above. The Lakers signed the 7-footer to an exhibit-10 contract after a strong Summer League campaign in which he showed glimpses of brilliance on both ends of the court.

Moreover, Huff dominated Shareef in practice. A string of similar efforts in practice and the Summer League, where he struggled to keep up with the top draft picks, may have cost him the Lakers contract.

Shaquille O’Neal did not want his son to play professionally. Shareef, on the other hand, said that he is an adult who can make his own decisions.

All respect to the young gun for forging his own road; however, he will need to put in more hours. Next season, Shareef will compete in the G League. This is a perfect opportunity for him to polish his talents and broaden his repertoire.

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Do you think Shareef has what it takes to make it to the league? Shower your thoughts in the comments section below.