Shaquille O’Neal has launched a fierce defense of WNBA star Angel Reese after former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III (RGIII) repeatedly targeted her with controversial social media attacks. The NBA Hall of Famer spoke out strongly on the Off the Record podcast, warning RGIII to stop disrespecting Reese, especially following a recent racist meme associated with her being named the cover athlete for NBA 2K26.
Shaq’s impassioned reaction makes clear his dedication to protecting Angel Reese from harmful public scrutiny and racial attacks. He insisted RGIII should refrain from further commentary about the young athlete, emphasizing his role as Reese’s defender amidst growing tensions around the issue.
Shaquille O’Neal’s Forceful Response to RGIII’s Comments
During the podcast, Shaq explicitly threatened RGIII, saying,
“RG3, tweet another monkey post about my girl Angel Reese, I’m punching your f***ing face, okay? It’s enough. Like, I don’t usually do stuff like this, but just stop it, bro.”
He continued,
“You got your job, you got your podcast, leave my Angel Reese alone. I’m the one calling her and telling her not to respond. F***ing stop it. That’s the last time, okay? Thank you.”
These remarks underline the intensity of Shaq’s defense and his unwillingness to ignore the ongoing harassment directed at Reese.
Shaq further criticized RGIII’s approach to sports commentary, stating,
“It’s not real hate. If you look around what’s going on in this real country, that’s hate. This is sports. I’m not supposed to like you. It’s a shame that all the stuff you did in your life, you’re gonna be remembered for your podcast. You’re gonna be remembered for your podcast. That should tell you you’re not that f***ing great.”
He stressed that RGIII’s negative attention toward Reese was unnecessary and unproductive.
Shaq’s Protective Role and Advice to Angel Reese
Shaquille O’Neal revealed he actively counsels Angel Reese to avoid engaging with hostile online commentary. Reflecting this, he said,
“She’s not gonna respond because I’m the one calling her and being like, ‘Baby, keep it classy,’ because she’s not soft by any means. You’re from the streets, but I’m like, ‘You’re beautiful. Don’t indulge with these fools,’ because he’s a fool. You don’t even have G14 classification to say that.”
This demonstrates Shaq’s awareness of both the challenges Reese faces and his determination to shield her from further harm.
He also highlighted the inappropriateness of RGIII’s comments, emphasizing,
“I would respect it more if Lisa Leslie said it. Like, that’s y’all category. Stay out of them people’s category. Okay, you’re sports, whatever you do, you talk about sports but bro, you don’t need to be going deep. Y’all can go deep. Y’all are females. Y’all understand what that’s like.”
Shaq pointed to the boundaries between commentators and female athletes, suggesting RGIII overstepped those lines.
Background of the Controversy Between RGIII and Angel Reese
The conflict intensified after RGIII posted a tweet intended to condemn racist imagery aimed at Reese but paradoxically included one of those images, causing backlash for seeming tone-deaf. RGIII had previously accused Reese of harboring negative feelings toward fellow WNBA player Caitlin Clark, allegations that Reese and her mother have firmly denied, calling RGIII a liar and accusing him of seeking attention.
Shaquille O’Neal’s defense is grounded not only in their shared connection through LSU, where Reese played collegiate basketball, but also in his personal support of her career. He helped facilitate one of Reese’s first major endorsement deals with Reebok and has praised her for handling pressure with strength, charisma, and grace.
Implications and What Lies Ahead
Shaq’s outspoken warning serves as a clear message to media personalities and critics: attacks on Angel Reese will be met with fierce resistance from powerful allies. O’Neal’s protection highlights the broader issues of racial and gender-based harassment faced by young female athletes in the spotlight.
As the backlash against RGIII continues to mount, this episode underscores the need for respectful discourse and accountability, especially in sports media. Shaquille O’Neal’s commitment to safeguarding Angel Reese sends a strong signal that such harmful commentary will not go unanswered, potentially prompting more cautious behavior from critics in the future.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What caused Angel Reese’s injury?
A. In a video posted on her TikTok, Reese explained she injured her hand when she fell during a play. She said she got a small crack in her bone. The doctors said she could choose between having surgery or not having surgery.
Q. Does Angel Reese have a 1.6 GPA?
A. Reese finished her degree at LSU in March 2024. She studied Interdisciplinary Studies, focusing on Communication, Leadership, and Psychology.
This indicates her GPA was over 2.0, the least needed for graduation.
Q. What did Angel Reese’s parents do?
A. Angel inherited her basketball skills from her parents, who both played at college and professional levels.