Shaquille O'Neal opens up on how Shareef O’Neal makes him a proud dad: “I got six perfect babies"

Shaquille O'Neal, along with his son Shareef, are part of a group of NBA players who have kids trying their luck to make it big in the league. According to Shaq, he doesn't try to push any of his children to be basketball players, but his eldest seems motivated to be like his father.

Three-time Six Man of the Year Jamal Crawford became a guest on Shaq's show, "The Big Podcast," and they discussed O'Neal's kids. Crawford asked the former Lakers superstar on setting up his children's mindset for their future.

"I told you, all my kids, we don't need another basketball player. I tell them all the time. I said, 'Give me a lawyer, a doctor, a business guy, give me something.'"

"I'm lucky, I got six, I got six perfect babies. They don't give me no problems at all. They do what I ask, they are smart, they're educated. The best compliment I can get is when people say, 'Man, I met your kids and they're good.' That's the best compliment you can get as a parent."

Shaq expounded on how he motivates his son, Shareef, on making it big in the NBA and achieving his dreams.

I just always tell him, I say, 'Listen my man, you just need something to fall back on when it's all said and done. You need something to fall back on.' But the fact that he keeps fighting, and he is still trying to pursue his dream makes me proud as a dad, whether he makes it big time, whether he does or not."

After playing for the LA Lakers in the Summer League, Shareef signed with the G League Ignite in September after going undrafted last year.

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How can the son of Shaquille O'Neal make it big in the NBA?

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The second generation of NBA players aren't new. A few players who are actively playing in the league come from a family of former players in the league. One of the best players right now, Steph Curry, is the eldest son of Dell, who was a former winner of the Sixth Man of the Year award.

Now, Shareef is trying his luck to step out of Shaquille O'Neal's shadow and make a name for himself. However, due to the short break that he took to undergo open heart surgery, he seems to have lost a step. Before his surgery, he was an incredible talent who was highly recruited by colleges across the country.

Now, it could take a while for him to make his way onto the NBA roster. A possible outcome of his career could look like Gary Payton II's path. Shaquille O'Neal's son could be incorporated into a team where his talents could be amplified by being a role player.