*Whoa! This has got to be mind-blowing for young Shareef O’Neal. The budding UCLA basketball star has revealed that he will have to miss playing ball this season because of a heart issue that will require major surgery … but vows to return.
Doctors recently discovered O’Neal heart ailment during a routine checkup, and the freshman soon undergo corrective surgery. O’Neal, whom ESPN.com ranked 32nd among the nation’s incoming freshmen, described this missed season to TMZ as a “bump in the road.
“A lot of people are asking if it’s career ending,” O’Neal told TMZ. “The answer is absolutely not. It’s just a little bump in the road and I’ll be back in no time.” He said via Twitter he’s looking forward to returning to the court.
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
According to the report, Shareef didn’t specify the exact problem — but said the issue is severe enough that he’ll be having heart surgery in the near future.
“Thank God the UCLA medical staff caught it early,” O’Neal said.
Shareef says he’s been talking with his dad, Shaquile O’Neal and mom Shaunie O’Neal about how best to handle the situation — and will NOT withdraw from school while recovering.
“During rehab, I’ll be attending my classes and being a normal student.”
Shareef says he vows to return to the court in 2019 after redshirting this upcoming season — and describes the ordeal as “just a bump in the road.”
“I’ll be back in no time.”
RELATED NEWS: LEBRON JAMES JR. WILL PLAY FOR CROSSROADS IN L.A. – SHAREEF O’NEAL TO ENROLL AT UCLA
We’re here for you, Shareef … You know we’ve got your back, and we’ll support you in every way. ??? https://t.co/w3p6DAtQNL
— UCLA Basketball (@UCLAMBB) September 28, 2018
And he’s got the full support of UCLA.
College Basketball UCLA’s Shareef O’Neal, Shaq’s Son, To Miss NCAA Basketball Season With Heart Ailment by Marcus Kwesi O’Mard on Fri, Sep 28, 2018 at 12:41PM Share this: 12Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)12 Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window) Shareef O’Neal must overcome a false start to his college basketball career. The UCLA men’s basketball forward and son of Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal announced Friday morning on TMZ he’ll miss the 2018-19 season due to a heart condition. Doctors recently discovered O’Neal heart ailment during a routine checkup, and the freshman soon undergo corrective surgery. O’Neal, whom ESPN.com ranked 32nd among the nation’s incoming freshmen, described this missed season to TMZ as a “bump in the road. “A lot of people are asking if it’s career ending,” O’Neal told TMZ. “The answer is absolutely not. It’s just a little bump in the road and I’ll be back in no time.” He said via Twitter he’s looking forward to returning to the court. UCLA fully supports O’Neal and his family. “Freshman Shareef O’Neal will be sidelined for the 2018-19 season (medical),” UCLA said in a statement, per CBS’ Kyle Boone. 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.”
Take care of yourself and get well soon, Shareef!
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