It is being reported by TMZ that 18-year-old Shareef, son of retired NBA star Shaquille O’Neal is to undergo open heart surgery for an unnamed heart issue.
The 18-year-old student of the University of California Los Angeles, a highly rated basketball prospect, is expected to miss a whole year of the basketball season as he recovers from the surgery.
In his interview with TMZ Sports, he revealed that the university doctors spotted the defective condition during a routine check-up.
The school also released a statement in support of the student. “Freshman Shareef O’Neal will be sidelined for the 2018-19 season (medical). He will remain enrolled in class and on the men’s basketball team during this redshirt year. The UCLA men’s basketball program completely supports Shareef and his family as he gets this issue resolved.”
Blessed to be here living today, one of those moments on the court could’ve been my last… I will be back basketball world .. just wait on me ❤️ I’ll miss you this year but you will always be with me ❤️ https://t.co/YP4zZwg1FF
— Shareef O’Neal (@SSJreef) September 28, 2018
His father Shaq is a basketball Hall of Famer who played 19 seasons in the league.