Shaquille O’Neal faces backlash over ‘creepy’ comments about Angel Reese

Shaquille O’Neal has angered social media users over comments made about Angel Reese when he appeared on her podcast, ‘Unapologetically Angel’.

NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal has been accused of making “creepy” comments on Angel Reese’s appearance while on her podcast.

The 52-year-old joined the WNBA star, 22, on Unapologetically Angel last week and made a comment about Reese’s pair of “little shorts” she had worn for the Wild ‘N Out Live Tour.

“Imagine you in the same little shorts you had on at the Wild ‘N Out show dunking. You know how many T-shirts you’re gonna sell? You’re tripping,” Shaq told Reese.

The Chicago Sky ace didn’t appear to be too amused but she did let out a little laugh before responding: “Oh my God.”

“What? Them same little shorts you had on at Wild ‘N Out,” O’Neal continued. “Okay. Alright. Alright. Alright. Alright,” Reese responded.

Shaq has been accused of making “creepy” comments about Angel Reese’s appearance (Image: Getty)

“You’re not beautiful or good-looking – you are gorgeous. There’s a lot of gorgeous women in the WNBA,” O’Neal added. The exchange wasn’t well received on social media, with some viewers accusing Shaq of sexualizing Reese.

“Shaq sexualizing Angel Reese when he’s 30 years her senior and has kids older than her,” one said. “Shaq sexualizing Angel Reese like shorty ain’t damn near the same age as his children definitely cringy,” another added.

“Making crude sexual jokes toward a 22-year-old like Angel Reese? It’s disturbing and creepy,” a third said. A fourth slammed: “Shaq is extremely weird and nasty for saying that to Angel Reese (and also for not dropping it when she clearly was uncomfortable with it).”

Reese and Shaq have been close for a while. The WNBA star has described him as “a father figure” in the past, while Shaq has stated he loves Reese like a daughter.

O’Neal has long supported Reese and the women’s game, and he stated that WNBA players deserve to get paid more. “The [women’s] game is more popular than ever now,” Shaq said. “Y’all do need to get paid more, there’s no reason why some of these [NBA] bums are making $200 million and y’all are making what y’all are making.”

Reese and Shaq also have a professional relationship through sponsor Reebok. The WNBA rebound machine signed a lucrative shoe deal with the brand while she was a college basketball star at LSU. O’Neal is the president of Reebok Basketball and signing Reese was one of his first acts.

“Well, it started off by talking to Shaq and understanding the values that align with the brand,” Reese said at the time. “As a former athlete, now that he’s just been announced as their President of Basketball it is inspirational to me, just being able to see an athlete or former athlete shift from not just being an athlete, but being the President of the brand is something that’s important. I would love to do that one day.

“It feels great, Shaq is so much fun! I love him, and he’s been super supportive of me and everything I’ve done. Even if I didn’t work with Reebok he’d still support me, and our relationship has always been amazing. Everything is just so much fun, and what player wouldn’t want feedback from one of the best bigs of all time!?”