Meet Shaquille O’Neal’s 6 Kids, One of Whom Had Open-Heart Surgery – Photos

Shaquille O’Neal, one of the NBA’s most dominant players, is a Hall of Famer with a legacy both on and off the court. Beyond his illustrious career, Shaq is a devoted father to six children. From athletic pursuits to artistic and professional careers, the O’Neal children embody a blend of ambition and individuality.

Taahirah O’Neal

Taahirah, Shaquille’s eldest daughter, was born on July 19, 1996, to the NBA star and his ex-girlfriend, Arnetta Yardbourgh.

Breaking away from the family’s basketball legacy, Taahirah pursued academics and graduated from Oglethorpe University in 2019. She has worked as a communications associate analyst for PepsiCo, and earlier this year, she relocated from Texas to Georgia, where she is embracing a quieter life focused on personal growth.

During a recent conversation with her cousin Marcus, Taahirah admitted she isn’t fond of sports responding to his enthusiasm about a major basketball event.

She has also ruled out dating anyone from the sports world. Reflecting on the topic earlier this year, she explained that growing up surrounded by athletes made such relationships unappealing. She added that it simply wasn’t something she would consider.

Taahirah’s true passion lies in nature. She has openly shared her love for running a farm in Georgia, embracing a lifestyle far from basketball.

Myles O’Neal

Myles, Shaquille’s eldest son, has chosen a path in the entertainment industry. A successful DJ, Myles shares a strong musical bond with his father, who performs as DJ Diesel. The two often collaborate on live sets, with Shaquille praising his son’s skills.

He said Myles, 27, helps create live sets for his performances. “We always trade songs. We’ve been practicing together.” Shaquille shared that he bought his son his first DJ set and encouraged him to figure things out independently.

“He’d be in a room, and I try to let my kids do everything on their own, so he’d come in, and I’d say, ‘Figure it out,’ and he’d come back with it figured out,” he recalled.

Shaquille described Myles as an outstanding DJ. “I’ve seen him perform many times, and he’s really good. I’m actually jealous, he’s really good,” he admitted, adding that his son “has something I’ve never had.”

Shareef O’Neal

Shareef followed in his father’s legendary basketball footsteps. However, his sports career has faced significant challenges. In the summer of 2018, Shareef began experiencing unusual chest sensations during basketball practice.

Concerned, he reported the issue to UCLA’s medical staff. This led to evaluations that uncovered a life-threatening condition known as a right anomalous coronary artery.

Explaining the condition, sports medicine expert Brian Sutterer noted that “anomalous” means abnormal. In Shareef’s case, the coronary artery was positioned incorrectly, restricting the flow of blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the heart muscle. Left untreated, this could have caused heart failure or even a heart attack.

His condition required open-heart surgery and Shareef’s resilience shone through. He made a triumphant return to basketball, inspiring fans worldwide.

One fan expressed admiration by commenting, “Look at the heart, man. Inspirational.” Another highlighted his perseverance, “The fact that he overcame this and is playing college basketball to this day is just amazing.”

Moved by his journey, another person shared, “Just you talking about the heart is really heartbreaking… I just go ‘ahh!’ [sic]” Someone else, surprised by Shareef’s career progress, admitted, “I didn’t even realize Shaq had a son playing college ball…”

In 2020, Shareef shared shirtless photos on social media, proudly displaying his chest scars. He captioned the post, “No matter what… One thing I never did was quit 💪🏾 transformation from a year and a half.”

Fans flooded the comments with support and admiration. One person called him “a true example for a lot of people,” while another declared him “handsome.” Someone else even confessed that Shareef was their “dream crush.”

Shareef’s journey from a life-threatening heart condition to continuing his basketball career showcases resilience, and the will to never give up.

Amirah O’Neal

Amirah is Shaquille’s daughter with TV personality Shaunie O’Neal. Born on November 13, 2001, she inherited her dad’s footsteps, carving out her own name on the court while embracing her creative passions.

Amirah’s basketball journey began when she was 10, and she quickly proved she was more than just her famous father’s daughter. She shone brightly while at Crossroads High School, where she averaged 17.2 points per game as a junior.

Her hard work earned her numerous accolades, including being a three-time All-Gold Coast League selection, a two-time All-State honoree, and receiving All-CIF Team honors three times. In 2019, she was named to the MaxPreps California All-State Girls Team honorable mention and the Cal-Hi Sports Division IV All-State Team.

Amirah chose LSU, a decision strongly influenced by Shaq’s storied career at the university. She majors in Agricultural Business with a focus on International Business, aiming to blend sports and entrepreneurship in the future.

While Amirah’s basketball stats are impressive, she’s equally passionate about the arts. She loves drawing, painting, and cooking, with Mexican cuisine topping her list of favorite foods. In her downtime, she enjoys shopping and binge-watching TV shows.

Her musical tastes lean toward hip-hop and R&B, creating the perfect soundtrack for her busy life. With her drive, talent, and deep-rooted family legacy, she’s poised to excel on and off the court.

Shaqir O’Neal

Shaqir, the youngest son of Shaquille, is steadily building an impressive basketball career. In 2021, Shaqir made headlines when he committed to Texas Southern University, an HBCU celebrated for fostering athletic and academic excellence.

His decision demonstrated a commitment to the sport and to representing historically Black colleges on a national stage. Since then, Shaqir has continued to hone his skills and now plays for Florida A&M University. As a forward for the Florida A&M Rattlers, he’s become a rising star known for his powerful plays and precision on the court.

On November 7, 2024, he showcased his athletic prowess during a high-stakes game against SMU, confidently sinking free throws and contributing to his team’s efforts.

Me’arah O’Neal

Me’arah, Shaquille’s youngest daughter, is making her mark in the world of sports. In May 2024, she celebrated turning 18, stepping into a new chapter of her life with a bright future ahead.

Just a year earlier, she gave fans a glimpse of how she celebrated her 17th birthday. She shared a few snaps that captured the joy and excitement of her special day.

Having officially signed with the Florida Gators women’s basketball team, Me’arah is now set to take her talents to the collegiate level. Before her college signing, Me’arah attended Episcopal High School, where she developed her game and became a standout player.

From Shareef’s inspiring comeback after heart surgery to Myles’ DJing skills and Me’arah’s exciting future with the Florida Gators, Shaquille’s kids are proving that the O’Neal legacy is about more than just basketball.