Let’s rewind to last year’s unforgettable showdown when the Texas Longhorns won in the final of the 2023 NCAA Division 1 Women’s Volleyball Championship against Nebraska. Asjia O’Neal, in her last collegiate game, delivered a game-changing 11-point run in the second set, cementing her legacy in burnt orange glory. After the win, O’Neal took to Instagram with an emotional post, reflecting on a collegiate career for the ages. She proudly boasted of her achievements as a Longhorns team, by saying, “6 conference titles, 3 Final Fours, and 2 national championships later.”

Of course, a brilliant career, but the story did not end there. The middle blocker from Texas All-American made history as the Pro Volleyball Federation’s first college draft at the hands of Columbus Fury. Undoubtedly, Asjia O’Neal’s impact on the court is unmatched. With her roots in an athletic family, her journey is one filled with determination and talent. And when you think about it, given the fact that her father is an NBA legend, you already know where some of that greatness comes from. Thus, here is everything you need to know about her and her father!

Asjia O’Neal and her NBA father!

Asjia O’Neal is the daughter of Jermaine O’Neal, a very successful basketball player. He applied for the 1996 NBA Draft right out of high school and was signed by the Portland Trail Blazers as the 17th pick of the tournament when he was still 17 years old. He set the record for the youngest player to ever play in an NBA game when he joined the league and played his first professional game at 18. Despite struggling to force his way into the first team in Portland for some time, Jermaine could make his mark with the Indiana Pacers in 2000.

In his eight seasons with the Pacers, Jermaine O’Neal has been selected into the NBA All-Star team six times, made the All-NBA teams three times, and has been awarded the NBA Most Improved Player of the Year in season 2001/2002. Throughout his time with Indiana, he was part of multiple playoff seasons and got to the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2003-04 season.

Jermaine O’Neal played for the Raptors, Heat, and Celtics and ended his career with the Golden State Warriors in the 2013/14 season. Indeed, Jermaine O’Neal would go on to make his mark on the game ever since his NBA career and even more so inspired those who would come after him like his Volleyball star daughter Asjia O’Neal.

But Asjia O’Neal is so much more than just Jermaine O’Neal’s daughter and did you know she was even once asked to quit the sport?

Daughter O’Neal and her impact on the sport!

In the last ten years, the Texas volleyball team has emerged among the best volleyball teams in the country. The Longhorns have won three national championships and seven straight conference championships in the Big 12 conference.

Asjia O’Neal has been a standout player for Texas in her six seasons for the team and was a true representative of the burnt orange. Coming from a family having a passion for athletic competitions, beginning with her father; former NBA player Jermaine O’Neal, Asjia’s experience has been quite inspiring.

O’Neal was born with a mitral valve leak, which grew worse due to her vigorous commitment to volleyball; before her first collegiate season, she dealt with two open-heart surgeries and was advised to quit volleyball. The first surgery occurred in 2013 when a ring was inserted around her valve to close the leak.

Four years later, she needed another surgery after they found out that she had another leak in her tricuspid valve. But there is no doubt that O’Neal is a determined and hardworking woman–she came back and is now playing for LOVB Austin, and wears the number 7 jersey, just like Jermaine wore during his illustrious career.

Just like her father, Asjia is creating her own ways.