While Shaq was not looking, his kid did something cool. Shaquille O’Neal reunited with Yao Ming, Dwyane Wade and Vince Carter halfway across the world during the NBA’s China games. His youngest son is back in Sacramento preparing for the 2025-26 NCAA season. And how! Shaqir O’Neal just showed why his dad calls him his ‘mini-me.’ The 6’8″ forward stood out in Sacramento State’s pre-season exhibition in a fantastic fashion. Too bad no other O’Neals were around to witness it.

The Sac State Hornets are soon going to have a celebrity-backed exhibition matchup with the University of New Orleans soon. Before an All-Star level spectacle, only appropriate to have All-star-esque skills fest. Sac State kicked off their pre-season with the annual Hornet Madness that includes everything from a 3-point contest to a slam dunk competition.

Shaqir knows his dad loves a good dunk contest. Unlike his dad’s in-game high-flying skills, Shaqir proved he’s a bit of a showman at the Sac State dunk contest. He had no props or staging. He just threw the ball in the rim all four attempts.

He did a couple of shots backwards and one by jumping over a teammate. In one of them, he had an extended hangtime in the air that made the audience – albeit a very small crowd – jump to their feet. Unsurprisingly, the Dunkman Jr. was crowned the champion of the Sac State Slam Dunk contest.

Yes it’s an exhibition but it’s kind of a big deal for Shaqir to set the tone after transferring to his third college. He’s not only got his dad as GM and Mike Bibby as coach here, he’s on the same team as Mikey Williams. It’s actually unexpected someone else in Sac State not named Mikey Williams won the dunk contest.

Williams earned viral fame for dunking since he was only 12 years old. He stunned with his aerial moves at UCF before he transferred to Sac State in 2025. Shaqir too arrived from FAMU this season. The consensus online is that the Hornets look scary with two aerial guys on the roster. But it doesn’t appear that Mikey was at the contest.

But he wasn’t the only one absent.

Shaquille O’Neal has another chance to see Shaqir’s dunk

Last week, Shaquille O’Neal was in New York with his other son, Shareef when he formally declared he can no longer dunk without the risk of injury. All Dunkman duties fall on Shaqir. Too bad the OG was not around to witness it in person.

O’Neal flew to Macao for the NBA China games. He reunited with his Miami teammate, Dwyane Wade, met former nemesis, Yao Ming, and caught up with ex TNT colleague and dunk extraordinaire Vince Carter. (If Shaq saw the clips of Shaqir dunking, we’re hoping he flexed it to Vince.) Unlike the time Shaq made himself a voluntary prop for Mac McClung’s All-Star Slam Dunk three-peat, he wasn’t around for his son.

Shareef revealed he’s in New Jersey and Taahirah is occupied with her role on The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation’s board. Shaunie also appears busy between her duties as first lady of the Houston Lighthouse Church and her shows to have made an early trip to Sacramento.

After New York, Shaq had flown to Arizona to watch Bryce James’ preseason at the Red and Blue Showcase (Bryce’s parents, LeBron and Savannah James weren’t around either). He also performed in Alabama and Vegas before heading to Macao.

But next week, the Hornets GM is reunited with his team in NOLA. The UNO Privateers led by Master P are hosting Shaq and the Hornets on October 18 for a scrimmage in the Lakefront Arena. Fingers crossed, Shaqir has a dunk or two in him.