On Thursday, after acquiring the 35th pick in the NBA draft from the Orlando Magic, the Los Angeles Lakers used it to select Michigan State University guard Max Christie.
But L.A.’s work did not end up with the draft.
The team also added big man Shareef O’Neal as an undrafted rookie free agent, and he will play for the Lakers in the NBA Summer League next month.
He is the son of Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal, and he played three years of college ball for the University of California, Los Angeles and Louisiana State University.
O’Neal did not exactly put up impressive stats in college, but he may be someone to keep an eye on.
Shareef O’Neal has agreed to play in NBA Summer League with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Another O’Neal big man in a Lakers uniform.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 24, 2022
O’Neal was a highly touted prospect coming out of high school. At 6-foot-10 and 215 pounds, he was considered a big man who had nice ball-handling, scoring and defensive skills.
But a serious heart condition that required surgery, as well as a couple of injuries, somewhat torpedoed what some felt would be a promising college career.
If O’Neal has a high level of work ethic and desire, perhaps he could become a rotation player somewhere in the NBA within a couple of years. For now, at least, he will be considered a project player.
