What a wonderful Surprise! Arizona Basketball commit Shareef O’Neal signing day
Arizona Basketball head coach Sean Miller got some news that probably made him smile, Shareef O’Neal was going to hold a signing ceremony at his high school.
Following his friend Brandon Williams footsteps from last week, Arizona Basketball commit Shareef O’Neal decided to sign his financial papers in a ceremony at his Crossroads High School on Thursday, Nov. 16. This is always fun, and why deprive the future Wildcat of his day in the sun? Yes, there is an out for O’Neal if things do go as planned for the program this or next season when it comes to the FBI probe, but that is a smart thing to do for any player or parent to support.
On hand for the momentous occasion was O’Neals Crossroads coaches including Head Coach Anthony Davis, he teammates, his college advisor, and his family and friends. The event was planned overnight by O’Neal’s mom Shaunie and Ira Smith Crossroads AD. Shareef has always given shout-outs to Shaunie for being such a wonderful mom, and after meeting her, I see what he is talking about.
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It was emotional for Shaunie, I have been there, the moment you realize your baby is growing up and going to be leaving town to spread his wings and fly. What everyone had to say including Reef was touching and resonated with what I have come to know of this young man.
Shareef chose Arizona because the coaches believed in him and gave him his first offer when he was younger. They saw in him the potential and that meant a lot to him.
O’Neal has been under the microscope over the years, with media and fans comparing his game to his dads, but his game is more than his dad’s. O’Neal can hit a three, dribble, make free-throws and dunk. He is still growing.
Also in attendance was O’Neal’s AAU coach Gary Franklin’s of the California Supreme organization. Past Cal Supreme players include O’Neals former high school teammate Ira Lee, Deandre Ayton, Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Solomon Hill and Stanley Johnson. We first met Franklin a few years ago, and his program has gotten stronger.
This video is a must watch which covers the ceremony, speeches by the AD, his coach, his mom and O’Neal along with a post-ceremony interview. Shaq could not make it today, so I hope he enjoys this video as well.
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We will bring you more from today in a follow-up post which will include interviews with his coaches giving fans insight into this future Wildcat! We couldn’t be happier Reef chose Arizona Basketball and took another step to committing to Sean Miller.