Shareef O’Neal to have heart surgery

UCLA Bruins forward Shareef O’Neal will redshirt the 2018-19 season due to a heart condition that will require surgery, he told TMZ Sports.

The former Kentucky recruit, who at one time was projected to end up a Wildcat, said that UCLA doctors saved his life by catching the condition. Thankfully, he will still get to go to class and rehab at UCLA this season.

The son of NBA Hall of Fame center Shaquille O’Neal committed to the UCLA in February, just days after backing off his pledge to the Arizona Wildcats.

Shaq mentioned Kentucky and John Calipari on multiple occasions as a situation he would have liked for his son, but for whatever reason, it never worked out. Kentucky recruited O’Neal but never offered him a scholarship.

Then again, maybe he ultimately wanted to stay on the west coast and wold have done so even had Kentucky offered. Whatever the case may be, here’s to hoping he makes a full recovery and enjoys a great career at UCLA and then the NBA.

Be sure to go ‘like’ our Facebook page and follow our Twitter page for the latest Kentucky Wildcats news.