Shaquille O'Neal 's sister Ayesha Harrison-Jex died three years after being diagnosed with cancer on Thursday, his colleagues announced on Thursday's . As I wached another of those endless run of commercials this morning featuring Shaquille O'Neal speaking to a cartoon general, with the ex-NBA player hawking auto insurance, I was struck by not only how many commercials Shaq makes, but the wide, random, range of companies that he has endorsed.. O'Neal has spoken on behalf of -- to name just a few -- a sleep apnea mask, a sugar substitute . She had fluid buildup in her chest, something that's normal post-surgery, but that meant she had to work her core to cough it up. a daughter Amirah Sanaa O'Neal, with her boyfriend (now ex-husband), . And this time the problem was even worse. "I'm not going to just die on the court. I found this story on USA TODAY High School Sports and wanted to share it with you: "She brings so much energy to the team and we feed off of her all the time.". During her junior season she had 509 kills and 121 blocks to lead Southlake Carroll to the Class 6A Region I final. 1 in heart care in the U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals rankings. All rights Reserved. Shaquille O'Neal is one of the most famous basketball players of all time. To find out more about the college player and her rising career, read on. Shaquille O' Neal was born on 6 March 1972 in Newark, New Jersey, in the United States to Lucille O'Neal and Joe Toney. And another six weeks of monitoring before her chest bones completely healed. That day, she tried out and made the school's B team (the school had an A, B and C team). Getty Images O'Neal has rarely spoken publicly about being a Muslim, but in 2010 he did reveal he intended to take the Islamic pilgrimage known as the Hajj to Mecca, Saudi . "Its a great day for Texas Southern University anytime you can get any one of the ONeals to commit," he said. It was too dangerous for O'Neal to continue. Shaquille O"Neal #34 of the Los Angeles Lakers gets a hug from his dad after game two of the Western Conference Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs at the Alamo Dome in San Antonio, Texas. But as the time of the surgery got closer, nervousness hung over her like a heavy blanket. She asked him to train her during the summer after fourth grade, but something didn't feel right. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. [I'll] guide them in the right path," the former player said. Accompanying her . "Asjia is a spitting image of me, but she is better -- a much better version of me," said Jermaine, who went straight from high school to the NBA. "The documentary series chronicles Shaq's ascent to superstardom, as a dominant force who won four NBA championships, league MVP honors, and changed the game." "It also encompasses his life off the court, from his upbringing in a military family to his deepest personal . The NBA legend sat down with The Pivot Podcast last week, and he dished on how he has different requirements for his sons and daughters once they reach adulthood. Shaquille O'Neal returned to LSU on Saturday, but it wasn't for him. 2020 In Asjia's case, Najm made an unusual decision. Ayesha Harrison Jex, the sister of basketball great Shaquille O'Neal, has tragically died at the age of 40. Who is Myles Who is available? RELATED: See The Rock's 19-Year-Old Daughter, Who's Climbing Up the WWE Ranks. * Favorite hangout activity shopping, playing video games (Call of Duty), watching TV That better-than-ever heart would help shape a more powerful athlete than ever before, one that will give Texas another shot at an elusive third NCAA volleyball championship this month. Southlake (Texas) Carroll sophomore volleyball star Asjia ONeal has committed to Texas for the Class of 2018. In addition to Shaq's former wife of 9 years, Shaunie O'Neal, the basketball legend has been linked to countless women. He will pass it on to his kids; besides that, his children will feel the impending pressure of carrying that last . "I also didn't want her to have to take blood thinners [as an athlete]. So the Texas star and daughter of former NBA player Jermaine O'Neal chose open-heart surgery -- twice -- to play the game she loves. Even before she knew the game's nuances, Asjia's hand-eye coordination was impeccable, and her height -- she was 5-10 at age 12 -- made her an immediate powerhouse. And she did, sticking with her team until the Longhorns lost in the NCAA regionals against Louisville on Dec. 13, when she hit .778 with seven kills and five blocks. ASJIA O'NEAL HAS always been a regular at big arenas. 1 overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft. Asjia's mother, Mesha, sitting in the bleachers behind the Oklahoma side of the court, says, "She looks upset." This journey has made me truly grateful for the ability to play the game I love and lit a fire inside of me that yall aint seen yet. * Preferred walk-on. Amirah "Mimi" O'Neal, the daughter of NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O' Neal and VH1's Basketball Wives' star and executive producer, Shaunie O' Neal,has committed to play basketball at Texas Southern University, according to an Instagram post. ", "He said, 'Look, she can go as far as she can take herself, she's completely fine to push herself.'". Her older brother Shareef O'Neal posted a video on Twitter Tuesday night of the young baller throwing down on a regulation 10-foot hoop. I see the doubt in they faces, they didnt think I would make it, she wrote in the caption. Shaquille O'Neal keeps it old school when it comes to his children turning 18 years old, and his daughters have a considerable advantage over his sons!. Her hair blazes behind her as she walks over to her teammates for a high-five. Shaunie O'Neal was born on November 27, 1974 in Wichita Falls, Texas, USA. With their city hosting the Final Four, the Cougars don't shy from national title talk. Shaquille O'Neal, commonly known as just Shaq, 49, . Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal discussed his 2011 divorce from ex-wife Shaunie Nelson on a podcast on Tuesday. A post shared by M ?? Aug. 2, 2021. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. "She's not talking about surgery. Her heart condition had deteriorated even further. "And I'm like, 'Well, then why do I feel like this?'". "I can't believe this is how you guys feel all the time," she said to Mesha. 1 overall? Now 8 days post op Im feeling better and doing more each day, ONeal wrote, and while I know the road to recovery is gonna be a long and hard one Im ready and cant wait to be back on the court in August. After two heart surgeries, Texas volleyball star finds her power and voice, Previewing the 2023 college baseball season: Teams and players to watch, key storylines. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Gregory Gym, which is hosting 4,295 people for this Nov. 11, 2021, encounter against Oklahoma, erupts in boos. Child's father is her now ex-husband, Shaquille O . O'Neal's mitral valve leak -- a condition she was born with that redirected blood back into her atrium rather than out to her ventricle, a condition that forced her heart to work extra hard to pump enough blood in the right direction, a condition that she already had undergone one surgery to correct -- had gotten worse, the doctor explained. She had 125 kills, 93 blocks, 35 digs and 22 aces. Two families who traveled from Indianapolis and Kansas City introduced themselves to Jermaine. HOUSTON - Shaquille O'Neal's children are bringing their hoop dreams to Houston.. LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 24: Former Los Angeles Lakers player Shaquille O'Neal speaks after unveiling of his statue at Staples Center March 24, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. She also helped the Texas Advantage Volleyball 17 Black club team win the USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championship the summer before her senior season and was named a club All-American by PrepVolleyball.com. A native Baltimorean and previous Tampa resident, Monique joined the Chronicle in the summer of 2021 after nearly four years at the Tampa Bay Times where she worked on all things digital, launched the newspaper's first race and identity newsletter, Regarding Race, and covered local news. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. In addition, UT erected a statue of the Longhorns' first Black football letterman, Julius Whittier, and it renamed Joe Jamail Field at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium to Campbell-Williams Field, after Texas' two Black Heisman Trophy running backs, Earl Campbell and Ricky Williams. I don't know if I can do this," Asjia said to Mesha on the phone after one of her first spring practice sessions during her redshirt freshman year at Texas in 2019. She needed a ring placed around her mitral valve to stop the leakage. 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I literally just told her this yesterday, I said, 'Asjia, you're special, because you're much bigger than just a volleyball player.'". Who will win nationals? Played in 28 matches during the 2021 seasonfinished second on the team with 114 total blocks and led the Longhorns with 16 solo blockssecond on the team with a .383 hitting percentage and was third with 266 pointsfinished with 170 kills, the fifth-most on the teamthird on the team with 31 service acestied career high with nine blocks in back-to-back matches at Iowa State (10/21-22). But when she returned to campus in July 2020, she could see how she compared to her teammates. Her younger brother, Shaqir, second from left, will also play at TSU. After enjoying seven years of marriage, O'Neal and his ex-wife underwent a divorce for reasons best known to them on the 9th day of November 2010. TSU did finish last season with a 5-10 record during the pandemic-ravaged season. And that empowered athlete would become an ever more influential person in arenas that matter far more than the Longhorns' Gregory Gymnasium. Midway through a cartwheel, Asjia said, "Dad, I'm going to win it." The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Unsurprisingly, a few of Shaq's kids are following in his footsteps by succeeding on the court. The mother-daughter duo relocated to . I've been struggling all this time, and this is how everybody else feels after a workout? NCAA gymnastics 2023: Who has surprised this season? Catch up on the day's news you need to know. FILE: Amirah "Mimi" O'Neal, pictured third from left in 2018, the daughter of NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O' Neal and VH1's Basketball Wives' star and executive producer, Shaunie O . And on the fourth day, she could make one round, with her aid. The Los Angeles native was a 2019 . Shaquille O'Neal's daughter is a pretty big basketball prospect in her own right. O'Neal's right foot had landed on the Sooners' side of the net as she nudged the ball over. 2021: VolleyballMag.com Fourth Team All-AmericanAVCA All-Southwest RegionFirst Team All-Big 12First Team Academic All-Big 12Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 26) These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Shortly after she was cleared to return to the gym, the coronavirus pandemic shut down sports. * Nickname is Mimi. Shareef O'Neal, Me'arah's older brother, originally posted the video on Twitter with the caption, "So my 13 year old sister is a cheat code.". Me'arah is still too young to commit to play in college, but given her height, her basketball genes, and her ability to dominate the post and drain shots from range, there's little doubt she'll have offers rolling in soon. ONeal didnt play her senior season at Carroll. NCAA volleyball tournament: Breaking down the bracket, predictions and more, Kim Mulkey's crossroads: Her Baylor past, her LSU present and why she's not apologizing for any of it, Violent dust storms and 135 miles: Inside the world's most impossible run. She knew of Texas' success and she wanted to be a part of it. Shaq to his kids: "We ain't rich, I'm rich.". Point Oklahoma. I remember recovering so quickly and going out there and playing and feeling great.". "I had a ton of dialogue with [her doctor], probably even more than she knows," Jermaine said. He currently works as a sports analyst on a tv program named Inside the NBA.. Often regarded as one of the greatest basketball players, Shaquille led his teams to the NBA playoffs every season except for a few ones. She started dominating in the playoffs as a freshman. Her mitral valve leak had worsened, and to add to that, they found a second leak in her tricuspid valve. I love your team. * Born on November 13, 2001. 2019: VolleyballMag.com All-Freshman Honorable MentionBig 12 Rookie of the Week (Nov. 4, 2019)Big 12 Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll. She has decided to take the season off. Their younger sister, MeArah, is also getting Divison I offers, but has not yet committed anywhere. The L.A. event, which featured Zedd, Diplo and Lil Wayne, was a smash success. "Was there anything that we should be looking out for or pulling her back on? "I was so young. * Three-time All-Gold Coast League selection When O'Neal arrived back on campus, she called her mom from the sidewalk; Mesha O'Neal heard only sobs. She needed to have another open-heart surgery. The doctors operated on Asjia for five hours, stopping the leak and then closing her chest. Grammy-award winning rapper and Houston native Megan Thee Stallion is also a TSU student and intends to join the list of alumni soon, after she recently confirmed her anticipated fall graduation. Asjia fell in love with volleyball in 2012 -- when she was in seventh grade -- after the O'Neals moved to Dallas, where volleyball was a hugely popular sport. 2019 Highlights of the 6-foot-4 LA's Finest star show that she's already an unstoppable force like her dad. Shaquille O'Neal's 13-year-old daughter, Me'arah, can dunk. "We'll figure this out," Gabriel said, handing O'Neal a piece of chocolate cake they had brought back from the Longhorns' last-day-of-spring-training celebration. Asjia needed to get to Cleveland as soon as possible for an MRI. "I had no idea, because it was the same protocol -- some days I would feel bad, some days I would feel better," said Asjia, who had a .413 hitting percentage and averaged 1.48 kills per set through the first 19 matches of that 2019 season. Shareef shares details about his basketball careeras well as photos of his familyon his Instagram. She also earned Big 12 Freshman of the Week honors once and was named a Freshman All-American by VolleyballMag.com. Her heart was stronger, it was working better, and she could play the sport she loved. * Has three brothers, Myles, Shareef and . Unsurprisingly, a few of Shaq's kids are following in his footsteps by succeeding on the court. SHAQUILLE O'Neal is arguably one of the greatest basketball players and centers of all time. * Favorite food Mexican food. That includes his second eldest daughter, Amirah, who's a basketball star at her father's alma mater, Louisiana State University. O'Neal burst into tears once again, holding her face, sobbing and remembering. "She probably would not have had to have it if she did not play sports," Mesha said. Gave birth to her 5th child at age 31, a daughter Mearah Sanaa O'Neal on May 1, 2006. All rights reserved. At Carroll, ONeal played on varsity from her freshman season through her junior year. Recognizing the mannerism ways to get this books Shaquille O Neal The Inspiring Story Of One Of Ba is additionally useful. / via Pinterest. We wish her the best of luck.. Shaunie was Shaq O'Neal's wife. She joins a team, led by former WNBA Houston Comets star Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, that finished 20-10 in its 2019-20 season and was headed to the SWAC Championship as the No. Shaq, as the family patriarch and current Inside the NBA co-host, became a national star at LSU in the early 1990s before becoming a high first-round draft pick in the NBA in 1993. We got to spend a day with Shaqir O'Neal at his insane Atlanta mansion where we also got a few surprises from Shaq himself! 2023 The University of Texas at Austin Athletics, J. Dan Brown Family Player Development Center. According to her official university profile, she scored an average of 17.2 points a game during her junior year of high school at the Crossroads School for the Arts&Sciences. The monitors revealed how hard her heart was working to allow her to play. Amirah is a 6'1 post player who averaged 17.2 points per game as a junior during the 2018-2019 season as a junior. She couldn't bring herself to respond. "This is it? Me'arah, who is the youngest of Shaq's five children, plays for LA's Finest, according to Rivals.com. HIGH SCHOOL (2016-20) And for more entertainment and celebrity news sent to you directly, sign up for our daily newsletter. And the intensity of volleyball was putting too much stress on her cardiovascular system. His recommendation to walk away from volleyball only strengthened O'Neal's resolve to stay on the court, prompting Asjia and her family to look hard for alternate solutions. Hope you guys enjoy this one as m. ", About five hours later he walked out of surgery and said, "It's a success. Source: Instagram. By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, Stand with us in our mission to discover and uncover the story of North Texas, Former Southlake Carroll volleyball player Asjia ONeal, now at Texas, reveals she had second heart surgery, then-Carroll head coach Ryan Mitchell said at the time, Frisco Liberty battles back vs. Lubbock Cooper to claim UIL Class 5A state championship, Boys basketball playoffs (6A): Lake Highlands breaks state drought; DeSoto advances, Boys basketball playoffs (5A): Kimball reaches state; Mansfield Summit clinches berth, 2023 UIL girls state basketball: Schedule, previews and more for Dallas-area teams, DeSotos chase for third straight title continues after rout of Pearland in 6A semifinals, Big 12 tournament bracket revealed; Check out paths for Texas, Baylor, others. UT is also erecting a statue of Heman M. Sweatt, the first Black student admitted into the UT Law School, who fought and won a Supreme Court case that paved the way for desegregation at colleges and universities across the country. All the while, Asjia was hooked up to a heart-lung machine to keep her blood flowing while her heart was stopped so Najm could repair her valves. 1 overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft. Oregon star Sabrina Ionescu who had a close relationship with Kobe and Gigi Bryant made NCAA history hours after eulogizing her mentor and mentee, Here's why James Harden's controversial Euro step that everyone is calling a travel was actually completely legal, President of US Soccer once admitted USWNT had 'not been treated equally' despite arguing for dismissal of their gender discrimination lawsuit, Kobe Bryant fans looking to pay their respects to the NBA legend are visiting the wrong grave. RELATED: See LeBron James' 16-Year-Old Son, Who's Already a Basketball Star. Former NBA player Shaquille O'Neal and reality TV star Shaunie O'Neal first got together at the start of the '00s and were married for nine years before they divorced in 2011. Extremely blessed to say that I have verbally committed to play volleyball at the University of Texas! She said that she hopes they can, and that she intends to keep supporting female players by promoting their achievements and getting new fans involved. The doctors told her that she would be discharged when she walked around the hospital, once, with a walking aid. Official fan page for the REAL Mr. Shaquille O'Neal. After a quick break, the doctor went in again, and then again. The Basketball Hall of Famer's 19-year-old daughter Amirah O'Neal committed to play basketball at Texas . He also is a father to . * Played club ball for LAs Finest. A week earlier, Texas had lost its first match of the season to Baylor in Waco, and there's lingering worry in the air. She was on Southlake Carrolls varsity as a freshman but Southlake coach Ryan Mitchell has brought ONeal along slowly due to the impact overwhelming expectations coming too quickly and after ONeal had to undergo surgery to repair a heart valve as a 13-year-old. ", "You just had your whole chest open, and you're already back," Gabriel recalled telling O'Neal. * Favorite music/artist Hip hop and R&B. Shaqir joins a team ranked ninth nationally in the number of wins since March 2010. For more high school stories, stats and videos, visit http://usatodayhss.com. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Keisha Lance Bottoms previews President Bidens trip to Selma, Tom Sizemore Dies At The Age Of 61 Following A Brain Aneurysm, Singer Juanialys music brings positive vibes, Songstress Melba Moore continues to pave the way for the next generation, Anslem ElumogoGardner shares the top 3 skills a future executive needs, Dr. Dana Laughlin gives advice for finding a therapist. O'Neal had outgrown the ring that was placed in her mitral valve during her first open-heart surgery. "She never wanted to accept that her heart [condition] prevented her from doing certain things that other people could easily do," Mesha said. Regular Season, Playoffs, All-Star) Meet Me'Arah O'Neal. 1 overall pick of the 1992 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic won four NBA Championships with the [] Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. On Texas' second set point -- with the fans on their feet -- Gabriel and O'Neal connect on a perfect slide attack, and a smile finally creeps across O'Neal's face after she gets the set-clinching kill. The Longhorns (25-1), who also made it to the NCAA finals in 2015 and 2016, are the No. * Has three brothers, Myles, Shareef and Shaqir, and two sisters, Taahirah and Mearah; Shareef will be a member of the LSU mens basketball team in 2020-21. Her siblings appear to confident in O'Neal's eventual commitment decision. 1. On the second day, she slowly sat up and walked a few steps with support. In 2002, two years after Asjia was born, O'Neal was named the league's most improved player, charming fans with his outgoing personality and tantalizing promise with the Indiana Pacers. ", "If that's how you feel, do what you want with your money," O'Neal says matter-of-factly. A video surfaced online Tuesday night of O'Neal's 13-year-old daughter, Me'arah O'Neal, dunking on a regulation 10-foot hoop in what appears to be a home gym. Point Oklahoma. "But I thought this might just be the reality of me playing sports. Things had to change within the University of Texas, and in America, she said. ON A SPRING afternoon in Austin, Texas, Asjia O'Neal nonchalantly walked into the Heart Hospital of Austin for her cardiology appointment, a twice-a-year routine she had been keeping most of her life. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Three days later they had an appointment booked at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, which has consistently ranked No. In the time sense, Shaq's opened up about his marital mistakes and fans have . Shaquille O'Neal said on his podcast, "The Big Podcast with Shaq," that he was a "serial cheater" and the affairs cost him valuable time with his kids. TSU is no stranger to high-profile celebrities and athletes. What supplements should we really be taking? "It speaks volumes for our program and where we are, and were thankful that the ONeals have the confidence in us to trust us with their son and daughter. In November, just days after the family had sent Asjia's latest reports to Cleveland Clinic -- the evening Texas played Oklahoma -- Jermaine received an urgent call from Asjia's doctor.