SHAREEF O'NEAL NEWS

Heading to pro ranks O'Neal announced last week that he will forgo his remaining collegiate eligibility and keep his name in the 2022 NBA Draft, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

Impact Prior reports had suggested that O'Neal planned to withdraw from the draft and explore his options in the transfer portal, but the 6-foot-10 big man will instead try his luck at the professional level. Before leaving LSU following the 2021-22 season, O'Neal appeared in 14 games as a redshirt junior and averaged 2.9 points and 2.1 rebounds in 9.3 minutes per contest.

JUNE 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Seemingly out of NBA Draft O'Neal appears to have withdrawn his name from consideration for the 2022 NBA Draft, Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News reports.

Impact The tweet, which comes from a verified Knicks beat writer, also seems to imply that O'Neal will stay at LSU, though previous reports have indicated that the 6-10 junior had entered the transfer portal following a coaching change at the school. Should O'Neal elect to stay at the collegiate level but continue his career elsewhere, he would likely need a waiver from the NCAA, as this would be his third school after beginning his career at UCLA. O'Neal still has quite a bit to prove to scouts at the next level, as he's only appeared in 37 total games across three seasons due to various injuries.

JUNE 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Makes season debut Wednesday O'Neal (foot) posted four points (2-2 FG), four rebounds and one block during Wednesday's win over Florida.

Impact O'Neal made his season debut off the bench for the Tigers and logged 13 minutes. It was the first time O'Neal has played since Feb. 3, 2021 against Alabama. O'Neal will help provide depth at the center position for LSU moving forward.

JANUARY 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Looking good in practice O'Neal (foot) has impressed in practice but needs to be cleared by doctors before he can play, Sheldon Mickles reports.

Impact O'Neal was cleared to play five minutes against Aubrun but he was held out so the fact he has been cleared to play a little bodes well for his future playing time.

JANUARY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Doens't play Wednesday O'Neal (foot) didn't play during Wednesday's loss to Auburn.

Impact Although the forward participated in pregame warmups, O'Neal was a no-show for the Tigers again. It appears that the junior is nearing a return to action, and he may ultimately take the floor during the team's next game against Kentucky on Tuesday.

DECEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Going through warmups Wednesday O'Neal (foot) was going through warmups ahead of Wednesday's game against Auburn, Sheldon Mickles of the Baton Rouge Advocate reports.

Impact O'Neal has been able to do more work on the court in recent weeks as he tries to make his first appearance of the season after his 2020-21 campaign fell short due to a foot injury. He might see some minutes against Auburn.

DECEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Should return to practice next week Coach Will Wade said O'Neal (foot) should be able to return to on-court practice next week, Scott Rabalais of The Advocate reports.

Impact O'Neal is still working his way back from foot surgery that ended his 2020-21 season. He has suffered a couple setbacks, but is getting closer to be able to contribute. O'Neal will likely need to show for a week or two in practice that he can hold up before he enters game action.

DECEMBER 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Shaq's son, a 6-foot-10 college junior at LSU, signs NIL deal with cryptocurrency company Shaq's son's days of getting allowing from his famous father will be ending soon as Shareef has signed an NIL deal with NFT Genius.

DECEMBER 6, 2021 • USATODAY.COM

Out for a "few more weeks" O'Neal (foot) announced that he will be back in a few weeks and is aiming for a return around the holidays.

Impact The forward last appeared in a contest back in February, but is looking to make his return to the court soon. It would make sense for O'Neal to be held on a minute restriction during his first couple of games back in action due to his long time away from the court. The Tigers sit currently sit atop the SEC with an 8-0 record.

DECEMBER 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Slated to miss 2-3 more weeks O'Neal (foot) will be held out for another 2-to-3 weeks after undergoing an MRI on his foot Wednesday, Scott Rabalais of The Advocate reports.

Impact O'Neal hasn't appeared in a game since February, when he suffered a foot injury that hasn't allowed him to rejoin the action since. given the length of his absence, O'Neal will likely be very limited even when he's first cleared to retake the floor.

NOVEMBER 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Tuesday O'Neal (foot) has been ruled out for Tuesday's season opener against Louisiana-Monroe, Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports reports.

Impact O'Neal had been making positive progress as of less than a week ago, but a timeline for his official return to full contact has yet to be established. For now, he should merely be considered a depth option with Efton Reid and Darius Days projected to man the frontcourt in the season opener.

NOVEMBER 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Making progress O'Neal was one of the players coach Will Wade described Wednesday as "making progress and running," according to Matthew Brune of 247 Sports.

Impact Wade also added that he's hopeful both O'Neal and teammate Justice Williams will be back in a few weeks, which on the surface, appears to rule them out for Tuesday's season opener against Louisiana-Monroe. When healthy, O'Neal is poised to serve as a depth option in the post.

NOVEMBER 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

DNP in exhibition O'Neal (foot) did not take the court in Saturday's 74-62 exhibition victory over Nicholls.

Impact O'Neal suffered a foot injury towards the end of the 2020-21 season that still hadn't fully recovered as of early-October, and it doesn't appear as if circumstances have changed much since. He sat out alongside four projected rotation regulars, though LSU was still able to get the job done in the low-stakes scrimmage. With no other formally-scheduled exhibition contests set, O'Neal's next chance to take the court will be the Nov. 9 season opener against Louisiana Monroe.

OCTOBER 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Still working back from injury Coach Will Wade told reporters during last week's LSU media day that O'Neal (foot) is still working to get healthy.

Impact Wade referred to O'Neal's foot as "banged up" and even mentioned that he suffered a concussion not too long ago. As a result, it's apparently been at least three months since O'Neal has had a full week of practice. This makes O'Neal's immediate availability a question mark, adding even more uncertainty to what his role might be once the Tigers open up against Louisiana Monroe on Nov. 9. Further complicating matters is that LSU has a pair of highly-rated freshman in this year's recruiting class, headlined by five-star prospect Efton Reid. Once O'Neal does finally get healthy, there's going to be a heavy dose of competition for minutes.

OCTOBER 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Not expected to return this season O'Neal (foot) is unlikely to retake the floor again during the 2020-21 season, Glen West of Sports Illustrated reports.

Impact O'Neal has appeared in just 23 total games for two different programs in his first two collegiate seasons. The 6-foot-10 forward figures to rejoin the mix in the frontcourt again next season and could have three seasons of eligibility remaining when he retakes the court.

MARCH 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sidelined until further notice O'Neal (foot) will be sidelined "for the foreseeable future", according to Sheldon Mickles of the Baton Rouge Advocate.

Impact LSU head coach Will Wade stated O'Neal won't be back in the court any time soon, and it wouldn't be a stretch to imagine his season might have already ended given how injury-riddled his campaign has been. O'Neal has struggled to make an impact this season and is averaging just 2.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in 10 appearances off the bench for Louisiana State.

FEBRUARY 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Set to see specialist O'Neal (foot) will visit a specialist Wednesday and could be sidelined for an extended amount of time, Sheldon Mickles of The Advocate reports.

Impact O'Neal has missed the last two contests due to the injury and may be facing a long path back to the court depending on what the specialist concludes. Even when he is eventually cleared, O'Neal is far from a fantasy juggernaut, averaging just 2.8 points and 4.4 rebounds over 14.7 minutes per game in his 10 appearances this season.

FEBRUARY 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Not facing Tennessee O'Neal (foot) won't play Saturday against Tennessee, according to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports.

Impact O'Neal has been dealing with injuries all season long and hasn't been much of a factor when playing, as he's averaging a meager 2.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. His next chance to play will come Feb. 20 at home against Auburn.

FEBRUARY 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Foot still causing issues Coach Will Wade said that O'Neal's foot is bothering him again and has not practiced the last few days, Glen West of SI.com reports.

Impact O'Neal missed six games earlier this season due to a foot issue that has apparently come back in recent days. He would have to be considered questionable at this point to take the court on Wednesday against Mississippi State. O'Neal is averaging 2.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per contest this season.

FEBRUARY 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Scores six in return O'Neal (foot) registered six points (2-4 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 2-6 FT), five rebounds and two steals over 15 minutes during Tuesday's 105-75 loss to Alabama.

Impact O'Neal missed the past six games due to a foot injury, but he returned to enjoy one of his best performances of the season, recording season highs in points and steals. The sophomore will look to continue providing positive minutes off the bench, as he's averaging 3.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 0.5 steals and 0.5 blocks over 15.2 minutes per game this season.

JANUARY 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Warming up Tuesday O'Neal (foot) is dressed and taking part in warmups prior to Tuesday's game against Alabama, Sheldon Mickles reports.

Impact This may ultimately be the game in which O'Neal finally returns to the lineup. The sophomore has missed the past six games with a foot injury.

JANUARY 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Still out Saturday O'Neal (lower leg) won't play Saturday against South Carolina, Sheldon Mickles of the Baton Rouge Advocate reports.

Impact Coach Will Wade said earlier Saturday that there was a chance that O'Neal could return for the tilt. However, the big man will instead miss his sixth straight, with his next chance to take the floor coming Tuesday against Alabama.

JANUARY 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Could play Saturday O'Neal (foot) is no longer in a walking boot and head coach Will Wade said he has a chance to play in Saturday's game against South Carolina, Glen West of Sports Illustrated report...

Impact O'Neal has missed the last five games with a foot issue but appears to have a real shot at returning Saturday. The 6-10 sophomore has averaged three points and five rebounds in 15.2 minutes per game and would provide some nice depth off the bench if he were able to return.

JANUARY 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with foot issue O'Neal said Saturday over Twitter that he's been dealing with a foot injury but he should be back "soon."

Impact O'Neal has missed the last few games due to a foot issue but he seems fairly confident that his return isn't too far away. The 6-10 sophomore was seen wearing a walking boot about 10 days ago and will need to shed the boot and get in some full-contact practice before he's able to take the court again.

JANUARY 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Not playing Saturday O'Neal (lower leg) will not play Saturday against Florida, according to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports.

Impact O'Neal has been struggling to recover and is now slated to miss his third game over Louisiana State's last four contests. His next chance to feature will come against Georgia on Jan. 6.

JANUARY 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE