Amirah Sanaa O’Neal (born November 13, 2001) is an American college basketball player and the daughter of NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal.
She played for Texas Southern University in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). Her name, Amirah, means “princess” or “royal lady” in Arabic.
Who is Amirah Sanaa O’Neal?
Amirah Sanaa O’Neal is an American college basketball player best known as the daughter of NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal and television personality Shaunie Nelson.
She grew up in Los Angeles, California, in one of the most famous sports families in America. Her father’s legendary career as a dominant center with the Los Angeles Lakers and other franchises shaped her early passion for the game.
Like her father, Amirah plays as a forward and center. Her physical gifts and family background placed her under the spotlight long before she stepped onto any college court.
She made her television debut alongside her family in the reality series Shaunie’s Home Court, which premiered on VH1 in 2016.
Early Life of Amirah Sanaa O’Neal
Amirah Sanaa O’Neal was born on November 13, 2001, in Los Angeles, California. She grew up in a household where basketball was a daily conversation, with her father Shaquille O’Neal being one of the greatest centers in NBA history.
She started playing basketball at the age of 10. Her older brother Shareef O’Neal also pursued the sport, and over time most of her siblings followed the same path.
Her parents, Shaquille O’Neal and Shaunie Nelson, married on December 26, 2002. They divorced in 2011, citing irreconcilable differences. Despite the separation, both parents stayed actively involved in their children’s upbringings.
Amirah has five siblings in total. Her brothers are Shareef O’Neal, Shaqir O’Neal, and half-brother Myles O’Neal. Her sisters are Taahirah O’Neal (born to Shaquille and his former girlfriend Arnetta Yardbourgh) and younger sister Me’arah O’Neal.
Amirah Sanaa O’Neal Age
Amirah Sanaa O’Neal is 24 years old as of 2026, born on November 13, 2001. Her zodiac sign is Scorpio. She has spent most of her mid-twenties balancing her basketball career at the collegiate level with personal business ventures.
Amirah Sanaa O’Neal Ethnicity and Nationality
Amirah O’Neal is American by nationality. She is of African-American descent, a heritage shared by both her father Shaquille and her mother Shaunie Nelson.
Her given name, Amirah, draws from Arabic origins and reflects a multicultural family influence.
Amirah Sanaa O’Neal Height and Weight
Amirah O’Neal stands at 6 feet 2 inches (approximately 1.88 meters) tall. She weighs around 73 kg (approximately 161 lbs), according to multiple sports profile sources.
Her height is a natural inheritance from her father, who stands at 7 feet 1 inch. That athletic build gives her a clear advantage on the court.
She plays as a forward and center, positions that suit her physicality. Her strong frame and reach have been assets throughout her collegiate career.
Amirah Sanaa O’Neal Education
Amirah attended Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences in Santa Monica, California, for three years of high school. During her senior year, she switched to homeschooling due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
After graduating, she enrolled at Louisiana State University (LSU) in Baton Rouge, where her father had played college basketball from 1989 to 1992. At LSU, she majored in Agricultural Business with an emphasis in International Business.
She later transferred to Texas Southern University (TSU), where she continued her studies as a business major.
Amirah Sanaa O’Neal Career
Amirah O’Neal’s basketball journey began in earnest during her high school years at Crossroads School and gained national attention when she committed to her father’s alma mater.
Junior and High School Career
Amirah played as a center for the Crossroads Roadrunners during her high school years. In the 2018-2019 junior season, she averaged 17.2 points per game, earning her a place on the Cal-Hi Sports Division IV All-State Team.
She also earned four All-CIF selections and three All-Gold Coast League honors during her high school tenure. Her club team, the Los Angeles Finest, gave her additional exposure on the AAU circuit.
She was named a 2019 MaxPreps California All-State Girls Team honorable mention. Those accolades drew significant attention from Division I programs across the country.
Professional Debut and College Commitment
On April 16, 2020, Amirah announced her commitment to Louisiana State University alongside her older brother Shareef O’Neal, who joined the men’s basketball program.
She posted the announcement on her Instagram account, where it quickly gained widespread attention.
At LSU, she played as a walk-on for the Tigers in the 2020-2021 season. Her time in the SEC gave her a taste of high-level collegiate competition before she chose a new path.
In July 2021, Amirah transferred to Texas Southern University (TSU) in Houston, Texas.
Texas Southern University
Amirah joined the TSU Tigers of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) with two years of eligibility remaining. She played under Hall of Fame head coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke during her time at the program.
Her younger brother Shaqir O’Neal joined TSU’s men’s basketball team around the same period, making Texas Southern a notable destination for the O’Neal family.
At TSU, she wore jersey number 22. Her ESPN player profile lists her as a forward for the Texas Southern Tigers. Her career at TSU added a chapter to the O’Neal family’s growing college basketball legacy.
Recent Career
By the 2024-2025 season, Amirah had continued building her presence on the court at Texas Southern University. Multiple sources reported her averaging 12.5 points per game in that season.
She has also spoken publicly about her interest in entrepreneurship and mental health advocacy, telling interviewers she wants to own her own business after basketball.
Amirah Sanaa O’Neal Career Stats and Records
Amirah O’Neal’s most notable high school statistical achievement was her 17.2 points per game average in the 2018-2019 junior season at Crossroads. That performance earned her Cal-Hi Sports Division IV All-State recognition.
At the collegiate level, she has competed in the SEC (at LSU) and the SWAC (at TSU). Her ESPN career stats page tracks her full college game-by-game record. She plays the forward position and wears jersey number 22 at Texas Southern.
Amirah Sanaa O’Neal Awards and Championships
During high school, Amirah earned multiple individual honors. She received the Cal-Hi Sports Division IV All-State recognition after her 2018-2019 season. She also collected four All-CIF selections and three All-Gold Coast League awards.
Her 2019 MaxPreps California All-State Girls Team honorable mention further confirmed her status among top players in California at that time. No individual collegiate awards have been publicly confirmed as of June 2026.
Amirah Sanaa O’Neal Endorsements and Sponsorships
Amirah O’Neal has worked as an ambassador for Fashion Nova, the popular clothing brand. She has promoted the brand through her Instagram account, @amirahoneal_, sharing brand content alongside personal posts.
She also promoted SILK through her social media channels. These early brand partnerships reflect her growing interest in business and fashion beyond the basketball court.
Beyond endorsements, Amirah maintains an Instagram page, @_athletescape, focused on mental health advocacy for athletes. She has spoken about the importance of athletes speaking up about their mental health.
Amirah Sanaa O’Neal Boyfriend
Amirah O’Neal’s relationship status is not publicly confirmed as of June 2026. Around the time of her 19th birthday, she posted photos on her Instagram story suggesting she was in a relationship, though the identity of the person was not publicly revealed.
Her father Shaquille O’Neal stated in past interviews that he preferred his daughters to wait until age 25 before dating. Amirah addressed this dynamic publicly in various media appearances, keeping details of her personal life largely private.
Amirah Sanaa O’Neal Net Worth
Amirah O’Neal’s personal net worth is not publicly confirmed. As a college athlete, she has not earned a professional salary from basketball. Her income sources include brand partnerships with Fashion Nova and SILK.
Her father, Shaquille O’Neal, has an estimated net worth of $500 million according to Celebrity Net Worth as of 2026.
Her mother, Shaunie Nelson, has an estimated net worth of $35 million per the same source. Amirah operates independently from those figures, building her own business foundation.
She has stated her goal after basketball is to own her own business. That entrepreneurial focus suggests her net worth will grow through ventures beyond the court.
Amirah Sanaa O’Neal Social Media
Amirah O’Neal is active on Instagram under the handle @amirahoneal_. She posts a mix of basketball content, personal lifestyle photos, and brand partnerships.
She also maintains a second Instagram page, @_athletescape, dedicated to mental health advocacy for athletes. That account reflects her work as a mental health advocate and motivational voice within sports communities.
No verified Twitter or TikTok profiles have been publicly confirmed for Amirah as of June 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Amirah Sanaa O’Neal’s net worth?
Amirah O’Neal’s personal net worth is not publicly confirmed. She has earned income through brand endorsements including Fashion Nova and SILK while completing her college career.
How old is Amirah Sanaa O’Neal?
Amirah O’Neal is 24 years old as of June 25, 2026, born on November 13, 2001.
What team does Amirah Sanaa O’Neal play for?
She plays for the Texas Southern University Tigers in the SWAC. Prior to TSU, she was a walk-on at Louisiana State University (LSU).
What is Amirah Sanaa O’Neal’s height?
Amirah O’Neal stands at 6 feet 2 inches (approximately 1.88 meters) tall, a height she largely inherited from her father, 7’1″ NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal.
Who is Amirah Sanaa O’Neal dating?
No confirmed partner name has been reported. Amirah has kept her romantic life largely private and no relationship has been publicly verified as of June 2026.
What awards has Amirah Sanaa O’Neal won?
She earned the Cal-Hi Sports Division IV All-State honor after averaging 17.2 points per game in 2018-2019, along with four All-CIF selections and a 2019 MaxPreps California All-State honorable mention.
The Bottom Line
Amirah Sanaa O’Neal committed to Louisiana State University on April 16, 2020, following in her father Shaquille’s footsteps at his college alma mater.
She later transferred to Texas Southern University, where she played as a forward in the SWAC.
She grew up in one of American sports’ most high-profile families, yet pursued her own path — moving schools, building brand partnerships, and advocating for mental health in athletics.
Beyond basketball, Amirah has stated her long-term goal is to own her own business. She continues her collegiate basketball career at Texas Southern University while building an identity separate from her family’s name.
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