What do you do with a force so powerful that the league had to change its own equipment? Shaquille O’Neal intimidated opponents, leaving players helpless as the Big Diesel charged down the floor at more than 300 pounds with startling speed. His legend stretches across eras. Shaq feels timeless. Yet that dominance did not always reach home, and it is Me’Arah O’Neal who unknowingly spilled that.

EssentiallySports’ The College Cut put the 19-year-old through a trivia test about her father’s iconic career. Multiple questions, mostly gone wrong! “I hope he don’t see this,” she joked, sensing what was coming. And the results were surprising.

The Florida Gators’ sophomore started strong, rightly recalling Shaquille O’Neal representing LSU at the collegiate level. However, things went pretty south from there.

Me’Arah O’Neal didn’t know what year Shaq was drafted, a few of the many teams he played for, or even the number of All-Star appearances he made during his decorated career! Going through a catalogue of wild guesses, she couldn’t hide her nervousness. But at least she understood why he is called ‘Superman’ upon learning about his career-high 61 points against the Los Angeles Clippers.

It does look bad, but Me’Arah O’Neal was barely 10 years old when Shaquille O’Neal walked into the Hall of Fame. She wasn’t born when Shaq completed the three-peat with the Lakers and Kobe Bryant. So, for the most part, she has only heard about Shaq’s dominance or seen them in reels. And with that probably happening often, she might not have searched up on any highlights. However, Shaq’s Inside the NBA colleague, Kenny Smith, provided her with some comfort.

“Don’t worry, you will have better stats!” Kenny mentioned in the comments. In some ways, not knowing the weight of her last name in the basketball circles has helped Me’Arah O’Neal be dedicated to working for her place on the hardwood.

Her development as a sophomore really shows that.

Me’Arah O’Neal is earning her stripes

Being the child of a great athlete puts one under a fine microscope. There’s an expectation to be just like them. One of Shaq’s sons, Shareef O’Neal, lived through that situation.

Shareef was expected to mirror Shaq, a freak of nature, and become the second coming of dominance. Just having that knowledge cling to your back is draining. But Me’Arah O’Neal didn’t see any of it. So, the 19-year-old isn’t chasing any reflection, but creating her own image.

As a freshman with the Gators, O’Neal struggled to find consistent game time. So, the 6’4” forward used the summer to polish her game. Her teammate, who spent time with her, noticed her mentality. She maximized every single day to work on finishing through contact and evolving as a basketball player. That body of work has shown pleasing developments in her game.

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Me’Arah O’Neal has turned herself into a walking double-double, having started each of the 11 games for the Gators. She is nearly tripling her output from last season, from 4.8 points to 14.1 points per game this season. That strong hunger to make herself better through relentless work came naturally, without the pressures of following a legacy.

“Just stay the course. That’s all you can do, really,” she said. “I just have to stay the course, stay focused, and just have faith that I am gonna make it here.”

Even if Me’Arah doesn’t know about her father’s exploits, Shaquille O’Neal will be brimming with pride just watching his daughter earn her mark in basketball. It’s a relief that the love for the game and wanting to be her best comes from within, and not to appease a silhouette that continues to cast over her. Ultimately, having that commitment to earn everything is what makes legends.

Me’Arah O’Neal is heading down that tunnel. And with her work ethic and rigid mindset, the Gators have a 9-2 record and look primed for an exciting campaign.