5 Ways Shaquille O'Neal Is Guiding Angel Reese's Billion-Dollar Brand And The Rare NBA Record She Just Matched

The unique bond between WNBA star Angel Reese and NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal is one of the most powerful and fascinating mentorships in professional sports today. Far beyond a simple celebrity endorsement, their connection is a genuine "uncle-niece" relationship, with Shaq—often referred to as 'Unc' by Reese—serving as a protective father figure and a strategic business advisor as she navigates her explosive career with the Chicago Sky. As of December 12, 2025, their partnership is driving major headlines, highlighted by a historic on-court achievement and a massive new shoe deal that cements Reese’s status as a global brand.

The mentorship is not just about basketball; it is about building an empire. As the President of Reebok Basketball, Shaquille O'Neal is actively guiding Reese's off-court ventures, helping her manage the intense spotlight, the constant criticism, and the immense pressure that comes with being a transcendent athlete. This deep dive reveals the five most critical ways Shaq is shaping Angel Reese’s future, including the rare NBA milestone she just mirrored.

Angel Reese: Complete Biographical Profile

Angel Reese has quickly become one of the most polarizing and influential figures in basketball. Her journey from college sensation to WNBA All-Star is marked by record-breaking performances and an unapologetic personality that has drawn both adoration and intense scrutiny.

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• Full Name: Angel Reese
• Date of Birth: May 6, 2002
• Place of Birth: Randallstown, Maryland, US
• WNBA Team: Chicago Sky (Drafted 7th overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft)
• WNBA Rookie Season Highlights (2024): WNBA All-Star, All-Rookie Team, WNBA single-season total rebounds record (446), and led the league in rebounds per game (13.1).
• LSU Career Highlights: Led the LSU Tigers to their first-ever NCAA National Championship in 2023, named the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player (MOP), and set the NCAA single-season record for double-doubles (34).
• Nickname: "Bayou Barbie" (from her time at LSU)

The Rare NBA Milestone That Only Shaq Had

One of the most compelling aspects of the Reese-O'Neal relationship is how their careers have begun to parallel each other. During her sensational WNBA rookie season, Angel Reese accomplished a feat that put her in a historical category with only one other player: Shaquille O'Neal.

Matching the Double-Double Record

Angel Reese recorded 16 double-doubles (double-digit figures in two statistical categories, usually points and rebounds) in her first 22 professional games. This incredible start to a career is a testament to her dominant playing style, which is often compared to the physicality and presence of a young Shaquille O'Neal.

The significance of this achievement is that the last WNBA or NBA player to have more double-doubles to start their professional career was Shaquille O'Neal himself, who set the benchmark in 1993. By mirroring this rare NBA milestone, Reese immediately validated Shaq's belief in her talent and solidified the narrative that she is a generational, physically dominant player.

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Shaq has consistently used his platform to celebrate these achievements, often taking to social media to hype up his "niece's" success and drawing parallels between their shared LSU roots and their similar trajectories as polarizing superstars.

5 Ways Shaquille O'Neal Is Directing Reese's Career and Brand

Shaq's role in Reese's life is multifaceted, extending deep into her personal and professional development. Their connection is a modern masterclass in athlete mentorship, focusing on both on-court performance and long-term brand longevity.

1. Guiding the Groundbreaking Reebok Shoe Deal (2025)

As the President of Reebok Basketball, Shaquille O'Neal personally spearheaded Angel Reese’s massive signature shoe deal. This partnership is a cornerstone of Reebok's comeback into the basketball market. The most recent update confirms the launch of Reese's debut hoop shoe is set for September 18, 2025, in three distinct colorways. This move not only gives Reese a significant revenue stream but also places her at the forefront of a major global brand, a position few WNBA players have ever held.

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2. Providing Advice on Handling Fame and 'Haters'

Shaq, who has dealt with intense media scrutiny throughout his career, has been Reese’s primary source of advice on how to handle the inevitable backlash and criticism that comes with superstardom. He has publicly stated that his main advice to her is to "Block out the noise" and focus on her game, a direct lesson from his own experience. Reese has confirmed she turned to him for guidance during her time at LSU when she faced intense media attention. This protective role is why she openly calls him a "father figure" and "Unc".

3. The Controversial 'Little Shorts' Podcast Moment

Even in a mentorship, there can be awkward moments. During an episode of Reese's own podcast, "Unapologetically Angel," Shaq faced backlash for comments he made regarding her potential for dunking in the WNBA. He asked her about dunking in "little shorts," which some fans perceived as inappropriate and led to an uncomfortable moment where Reese was seen rolling her eyes and laughing awkwardly. While controversial, the incident highlighted the very public nature of their relationship and how Shaq, despite his good intentions, sometimes crosses a line, forcing Reese to navigate a complex dynamic in real-time.

4. Offering Film Study and On-Court Technical Support

Shaq's mentorship is not purely philosophical; it is technical. He has detailed that he reviews film with Reese, offering specific basketball advice to guide her through the rigors of the WNBA. This hands-on approach, drawing from his experience as one of the most dominant centers in NBA history, is invaluable for Reese, who plays a similarly physical, low-post game. This strategic guidance helps her refine her technique, manage her energy, and maximize her impact against the league's best.

5. Publicly Defending Her Against Critics

Shaquille O'Neal has repeatedly acted as a public shield for Angel Reese, often stepping in to defend her against what he perceives as unfair criticism or misconceptions. His defense is often passionate and highly publicized, such as when he publicly threatened to "punch" a sports analyst who had criticized Reese. This unwavering, aggressive support reinforces the "father figure" dynamic and allows Reese to focus on her game while her mentor handles the external noise, a strategy he employed throughout his own career.

In conclusion, the partnership between Angel Reese and Shaquille O'Neal is a dynamic, modern blueprint for athlete success. It combines strategic business guidance (Reebok), mental fortitude training (dealing with haters), and technical basketball advice (film study). As Reese continues to build on her historic WNBA start and her brand expands with her 2025 shoe launch, the shadow and support of 'Unc' Shaquille O'Neal will remain a defining factor in her journey toward becoming a global sports icon.