At the 2025 ESPYs, Shareef O’Neal—son of NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal—made headlines with a refreshingly honest revelation: his favorite NBA player isn’t his father. In a lighthearted and candid interview, Shareef revealed that LeBron James holds the top spot in his basketball heart, followed by Kobe Bryant, with Shaq himself coming in third.
Though some fans may have been surprised by the ranking, Shareef O’Neal’s explanation came with good humor and no family drama. According to Shareef, his father has never had an issue with it. In fact, Shaquille O’Neal supported his son’s admiration for these all-time greats by personally introducing him to both Kobe Bryant and LeBron James over the years.
Considering the impact both LeBron James and Kobe Bryant have had on the sport—and on Shareef O’Neal’s growth as a player—the ranking makes sense. Shareef grew up during the peak of LeBron’s career and saw firsthand the brilliance of Kobe Bryant. Shaquille O’Neal, meanwhile, famously played alongside both players: winning three consecutive championships with Kobe on the Lakers (2000–2002) and teaming up with LeBron during the 2009–2010 season with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
In a memorable moment from his childhood, Shareef O’Neal even attended his father’s games while wearing a LeBron James jersey, a clear sign of the genuine admiration he’s held for the NBA superstar since a young age.
While navigating his own basketball journey—with stints at UCLA and LSU and workouts with teams like the Lakers—Shareef has openly cited LeBron’s leadership and dominance as major influences. Despite the weight of his father’s legacy, Shareef O’Neal is determined to chart his own path, shaped by those who inspired him most on the court.
His comments at the ESPYs offer a unique window into the mindset of a second-generation athlete—one who honors his roots but also embraces his own heroes. By ranking LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O’Neal in that order, Shareef shows that appreciation in basketball can transcend bloodlines, focusing instead on personal growth, respect, and greatness.
Also read: Cam Thomas Claps Back At ESPN’s Zach Lowe: Inside the Brooklyn Nets Guard’s Fiery Response to NBA Analyst Criticism
Ultimately, the story highlights more than just a ranking—it showcases a supportive, modern father-son relationship and the deep, lasting influence basketball icons like LeBron James and Kobe Bryant continue to have on younger generations, even those raised in the shadow of NBA royalty.
Though some fans may have been surprised by the ranking, Shareef O’Neal’s explanation came with good humor and no family drama. According to Shareef, his father has never had an issue with it. In fact, Shaquille O’Neal supported his son’s admiration for these all-time greats by personally introducing him to both Kobe Bryant and LeBron James over the years.
Considering the impact both LeBron James and Kobe Bryant have had on the sport—and on Shareef O’Neal’s growth as a player—the ranking makes sense. Shareef grew up during the peak of LeBron’s career and saw firsthand the brilliance of Kobe Bryant. Shaquille O’Neal, meanwhile, famously played alongside both players: winning three consecutive championships with Kobe on the Lakers (2000–2002) and teaming up with LeBron during the 2009–2010 season with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
In a memorable moment from his childhood, Shareef O’Neal even attended his father’s games while wearing a LeBron James jersey, a clear sign of the genuine admiration he’s held for the NBA superstar since a young age.
While navigating his own basketball journey—with stints at UCLA and LSU and workouts with teams like the Lakers—Shareef has openly cited LeBron’s leadership and dominance as major influences. Despite the weight of his father’s legacy, Shareef O’Neal is determined to chart his own path, shaped by those who inspired him most on the court.
His comments at the ESPYs offer a unique window into the mindset of a second-generation athlete—one who honors his roots but also embraces his own heroes. By ranking LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O’Neal in that order, Shareef shows that appreciation in basketball can transcend bloodlines, focusing instead on personal growth, respect, and greatness.
Also read: Cam Thomas Claps Back At ESPN’s Zach Lowe: Inside the Brooklyn Nets Guard’s Fiery Response to NBA Analyst Criticism
Ultimately, the story highlights more than just a ranking—it showcases a supportive, modern father-son relationship and the deep, lasting influence basketball icons like LeBron James and Kobe Bryant continue to have on younger generations, even those raised in the shadow of NBA royalty.
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