Nationwide — Shaquille O’Neal is facing criticism after comments he made regarding Angel Reese, a WNBA star and his mentee, during an appearance on an episode of her podcast, Unapologetically Angel. The 52-year-old former NBA legend referenced Reese’s outfit from a recent Wild ‘N Out episode, sparking backlash online. O’Neal commented on her appearance in “those same little shorts,” adding that, hypothetically, it might help her sell merchandise. The remark made Reese visibly uncomfortable; she attempted to shift the conversation, saying, “Okay. Alright. Alright. Alright.”
According to Newsweek, The exchange happened as the two discussed potential changes to WNBA rules, such as lowering the rim to allow more dunking. However, the focus quickly shifted to O’Neal’s remarks, which social media users found inappropriate. One widely shared post on X (formerly Twitter) with nearly 100,000 likes remarked, “Angel Reese learned a painful lesson about men through Shaq in real time, I fear.” Another user criticized O’Neal, saying he was “sexualizing Angel Reese when he’s 30 years her senior and has kids older than her.”
Reese has previously spoken of O’Neal as a “father figure,” expressing appreciation for his support through difficult times, especially during her college career at LSU. Earlier this year, she shared, “He’s so genuine, he’s been there for me through tough times. If I need anything, he would help me…even if I never played basketball again.”
O’Neal has also publicly highlighted his protective role toward Reese, stating last month that he views her as family. “I have four daughters. She reminds me of one of my babies,” he explained in an interview. He further praised her handling of recent controversies, encouraging her to “relax” and commending her for managing difficult situations “beautifully.”
Despite their close connection, O’Neal’s recent comments have stirred questions regarding respect and boundaries. Social media erupted with criticism, with one commenter stating, “I’m glad people are recognizing Shaq’s creepy and perverted behavior.” Others argued that Reese’s choice of clothing does not warrant uncomfortable remarks. So far, O’Neal has not publicly responded to the backlash.
