GAINESVILLE, FL (352today.com) – The Gators women’s basketball scored big over the weekend, signing the youngest daughter of NBA great Shaquille O’Neal to the team.

The University of Florida (UF) head Coach Kelly Rae Finley announced on Sunday, Nov. 12, that 17-year-old Me’Arah O’Neal signed a national letter-of-intent to join the Gators squad.

The team posted the news on X (formerly Twitter) just after 7 p.m. Sunday night.

O’Neal is the 33rd-ranked recruit in the country, according to Prospects Nation and the ESPNW Top 100.

“We are thrilled that Me’Arah is a Gator,” Finley said. “We can’t wait to welcome her and her family to Gainesville. On the court she is a dynamic player who brings a unique skill set along with versatility to the floor. Her humble nature and team-first mentality make her the total package.”

UF says the 6-foot-4 guard/forward currently lives in Houston, where she is ranked the third-best prospect in the state in the 2024 recruiting class. O’Neal is also ranked fifth in the nation for her position by Prospects.

O’Neal currently attends Episcopal High School. She transferred from Crossroad School in Santa Monica, CA. UF says, “In her rookie year, O’Neal averaged 5.3 points and 3.3 rebounds a game. She also led Crossroad High School to a successful 19-5 record, landing them in the state tournament quarterfinals.”

O’Neal will head to Gainesville in the fall of 2024.

Former LSU and NBA center Shaquille “Shaq” O’Neal, front left, attends an NCAA college basketball game between LSU and Mississippi State, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023, in Baton Rouge, LA. Courtesy: AP Photo/Matthew Hinton