Fansided

Shareef O’Neal de-commits from Arizona as FBI scandal escalates

By Brad Berreman

STUDIO CITY, CA - JANUARY 25: Shaquille O'Neal (L) poses with his son Shareef O'Neal (R) at the Jordan Brand Future of Flight Showcase on January 25, 2018 in Studio City, California. (Photo by Cassy Athena/Getty Images)
STUDIO CITY, CA - JANUARY 25: Shaquille O'Neal (L) poses with his son Shareef O'Neal (R) at the Jordan Brand Future of Flight Showcase on January 25, 2018 in Studio City, California. (Photo by Cassy Athena/Getty Images) /
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As the FBI’s investigation into college basketball ramps up, Shareef O’Neal has re-opened his recruitment.

The FBI’s investigation into college basketball has brought alleged evidence against Arizona head coach Sean Miller, reflecting a discussion about a payment to current freshman star Deandre Ayton. In response to that news one of the likely top freshman for the 2018-19 season, Shareef O’Neal, de-committed from Arizona over the weekend.

O’Neal, son of NBA legend and TNT analyst Shaquille O’Neal, is a 6-foot-9 power forward, ranked as a four or five-star recruit depending on the website and he’s a top-30 prospect in the 2018 class. Prior to his commitment to Arizona, which notably did not come with signing a letter of intent during the early signing period, he had offers from UCLA, Baylor, USC, Cal, Georgetown, LSU and Kansas State. Kentucky was also in the mix as a possible destination, and LSU stands out because it’s his father’s alma mater.

O’Neal’s decision surely came after a discussion with, and some input or advice from, his father. He doesn’t lack for options, and staying attached to Arizona as scandal threatens to bring Miller and the program down is probably not worth it. Miller could also be fired, which changes the equation for any top recruit on the idea a new coach will come in with a different system and an entirely new staff. It’s also still pretty early, even as February winds down, with the relative rarity of a top recruit becoming available.

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It wouldn’t be surprising if O’Neal announces a new commitment before this week is out, and LSU would be an easy one. But Yahoo! Sports has reported head coach Will Wade is under NCAA scrutiny, based on his early success on the recruiting trail. It appears to be independent of the ongoing FBI probe, but it’s an emerging issue if the investigation hasn’t already reached a dead end.