Shaquille O’Neal has sparked controversy online for comments he made to Angel Reese about her clothing.
The NBA legend, 52, appeared on Reese’s podcast “Unapologetic Angel” this week, where he presented some controversial ideas to help WNBA stars level the playing field and earn as much as their male counterparts.
As part of his suggestions, O’Neal referenced an outfit the Chicago Sky star wore during an off-court appearance and claimed it could prove successful as part of a business strategy for her.
He brought out a gray long-sleeved top and matching shorts that Reese wore to appear on ‘Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ‘n Out’ – a sketch comedy and battle-rap improv game show.
“Imagine if you were wearing the same shorts you wore during the ‘Wild ‘n Out’ show dunking. How many T-shirts are you going to sell?’ O’Neal proposed to the 22-year-old during the podcast.
Shaquille O’Neal (L) has sparked controversy online for comments he made against Angel Reese (R)
The NBA legend was referring to a jersey and shorts combo that Reese wore in ‘Wild ‘n Out’
The suggestion prompted a defiant response from Reese, who immediately tried to shut down the topic.
Reese raised her voice and exclaimed that she had “nothing in the picture,” but O’Neal was unperturbed.
“The same little shorts you wore on ‘Wild ‘n Out.’ …I’m just saying,” he insisted.
Reese repeatedly interrupted by shouting, “Okay, okay, okay, okay,” to shut O’Neal down and change the subject.
O’Neal’s comments sparked backlash from fans online, as many claimed they were “creepy” or even “perverted.”
“We keep calling it weird but it’s actually perverse and obvious that Shaq is sexualizing her,” one fan posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“The saddest part is that you can hear the contempt in Angel’s voice, but also her exhale of frustration in the hope that he was a trusted figure in her life, but as always was just another man.”
“Angel Reese looked like she was uncomfortable with Shaq here,” another account shared alongside the clip of O’Neal’s comments.
Basketball fans have criticized the former NBA star online, claiming his comments were “creepy.”
“Shaq sexualizes Angel Reese when he is 30 years older than her and has kids older than her,” one social media user wrote alongside a GIF of a woman gagging.
“I do NOT want a man around me who acts like Shaq did with Angel,” chimed in another. “I’ll call you, tell you a creepy, nasty mfr, and we can fight it if necessary. I’m tired of being embarrassed in front of you […]’
Some fans hit back on other social media suggesting Reese brought the comments on herself with her outfit choices.
One fan defended Reese, posting, “I’m glad people recognize Shaq’s creepy and perverted behavior. What I don’t like is some people saying, “Well, if Angel dresses like that, what does she expect.” She can dress sexy and still not want to be sexually harassed.”
“That guy is supposed to be a mentor figure. A person she can trust. And I’m glad a video has emerged showing his inappropriate behavior,” they added in a separate post.
Another echoed their sentiments, saying, “I block any fool who says Angel Reese somehow caused Shaq’s perverted and inappropriate behavior by wearing shorts. I’m tired of y’all blaming women for men’s bull***.’
Other social media users defended Reese, claiming that she has the right to wear what she wants
O’Neal and Reese had discussed how NBA players earn much more than their female counterparts, with rookie sensation Caitlin Clark earning a base salary of just $76,535 this season.
And after Reese said the WNBA doesn’t pay its players enough, O’Neal revealed to his fellow LSU alum his vision to help close the gender pay gap in basketball.
“I have a solution for that, no one is going to like my solution,” he began, before suggesting that the WNBA rims should be lowered slightly so more women can dunk.
“A lot of people will comment, they’ll hate this, but… that’s the only thing missing [in the women’s game],” he continued.
Reese, who can dunk, was extremely disapproving of the idea, shaking her head and saying, “I hate it when men say that.”
The Chicago Sky center did not believe that more dunking in the women’s game would result in WNBA players getting paid more, adding: “People always respect women no matter what.” It will always not give us the same value as a man.”
O’Neal also mentioned Clark in his explanation, as he said, “It’s about seeing things you shouldn’t see… Why do you think people love Caitlin Clark?” Besides her skills?’
Reese wore a long-sleeved top and matching shorts for ‘Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ‘n Out’
“She can shoot threes from the logo,” Reese said.
‘We’ve never seen that before. That’s my point,” O’Neal said.
Nevertheless, O’Neal claimed that the WNBA action resembled a “high school game” unless certain players were involved, adding, “Our game is different because we do all the things.” Alley-oops…’
He also said, “A pretty girl dipping on the rim, I would watch that all day,” which made Reese, who is standing below him at Reebok, chuckle.
O’Neal was previously married to ex-wife Shaunie Henderson until the couple divorced in 2011.
O’Neal was previously married to Shaunie Henderson until the couple divorced in 2011
Shaunie Henderson claimed that Shaquille O’Neal kept going ‘missing’ before their divorce
Earlier this year, Henderson said the NBA legend kept going “missing” and that she’s not sure she ever truly loved him.
Henderson and O’Neal married in December 2002 and share four children: sons Shareef and Shaquir and daughters Amirah and Me’arah. O’Neal also had a daughter, Taariah, from a previous relationship. Meanwhile, Henderson’s son Myles, also from a previous relationship, later adopted the center’s surname.
O’Neal filed for divorce in Miami in September 2007 after admitting he “failed to protect” [Henderson] and protecting those vows.” However, the couple reconciled about a year later, with Henderson telling the Associated Press that they had dropped divorce proceedings.
They called it quits again in 2009 before their divorce was finalized in 2011.