Sydni Summers is a name people are going to remember now. The guard had a run of the mill season at San Jose State and transferred to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. It’s how she’s debuting with the Lady Rebels that has blown away more than a few players, including Shaq’s daughter. The 20-something athlete is pregnant. But that isn’t going to end her third collegiate season.

While most announce their pregnancies with a photoshoot on Instagram (which to be fair Sydni did in August), Summers is built different. She revealed her baby bump under her new Rebels gear in official portraits at the UNLV media day. Naturally she went viral.

Me’Arah O’Neal was hyped for her old friend and showed it on her Stories. “proud is an understatement, strongest girl i know @sydnisimonne 5ever in ya corner mh ❤️” She wrote after sharing the UNLV post. Meezy even commented hearts under Summers’ extraordinary pregnancy shoot. Gilbert Arenas’ daughter Hamiley Arenas and her mom, Laura Govan also liked the posts.

Summers is due in October and the Rebels don’t open their season till November 6. They haven’t revealed if they have a timeline or plan in place regarding Summer’s season.

Fans however, believe that this media day photoshoot is an indication that Summer won’t take an extended hiatus from the court. That has left most concerned for the young athlete and her soon-to-be born baby. The others are like Meezy, thrilled for Sydni’s bold move. Maybe O’Neal also knows Summers’ next move. They after all go way back.

Shaq’s daughter has her own college career to focus on

Shaquille O’Neal is focused on his youngest son, Shaqir’s season at Sac State as the team’s new GMA. His first duty is going to be that friendly scrimmage against the UNO Privateers led by Master P. His youngest of six kids is about to start her second season at Florida. Last year, Shaq made time to watch Me’arah’s first few games as a Gator. This time it might be a little difficult.

Meezy and her teammate, Liv McGill helped raise the Gators’ standing in the SEC last year. They made it to the WBIT last season where they beat UNLV 84-86. In May, Sydni Summers transferred to UNLV.

It’s unclear how she and O’Neal’s daughter are close – could be from when Me’Arah still resided in California while Summers grew up in Inglewood – but Me’Arah has been commenting on Summers’ posts since 2023.

Summers went to San Jose State where she averaged 9.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 28.4 minutes per game last season, her first full season. She never played against Meezy’s team yet and likely won’t this season either. Both UNLV and Florida’s schedules don’t have a matchup scheduled and they would have to make some kind of tournament or the NCAA championship for that to happen. Or Shaq could organize a friendly scrimmage the way he did with UNO and Sac State.

Whether that happens or not, all eyes are now going to be on Sydni Summers as people wonder how she’s going to balance new motherhood with her college career.