Shaquille O'Neal shares post from 19-year-old claiming to buy TikTok after ban

Eli Ellis posted on Instagram on Sunday that he is partnering with NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal to buy TikTok, and O'Neal shared the post. The South Carolina signee made the post after the controversial social media platform shut down its services in the United States.

The U.S. Supreme Court recently upheld a law signed by President Joe Biden in April requiring TikTok to sell its company to American owners or else face a ban in the country.

TikTok took action before the ban, shutting down the app late Saturday night before going back online on Sunday after President-elect Donald Trump announced that he would delay enforcing the app's ban by issuing an executive order on Monday once he returns to the White House.

That's good news for Ellis, who wants to add being a TikTok owner to his list of accomplishments.

Ellis posted that he's teaming up with Shaquille O'Neal for the endeavor. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer has tons of cash, but it's unclear if the former LA Lakers star can cobble up enough money and investors to buy TikTok.

Ellis and O'Neal were seen together weeks ago watching an Overtime Elite game.

Eli Ellis signs with South Carolina after Overtime Elite stint

Eli Ellis is also part of the Overtime Elite League, joining the YNG Dreamerz in December 2023. He took the league by storm, averaging 33.4 points through his first 16 games to win the OTE League's season MVP award. He shot 45.1% and had a couple of 50-point outings during that period.

Ellis scored a league-record 55 points in the Dreamerz' 119-95 win over RWE on Dec. 7. He came close to recording a triple-double, finishing with 11 assists and nine rebounds. He also knocked down nine 3-pointers to set an OTE record.

Ellis will soon be taking his talents to the NCAA. The South Carolina Gamecocks have signed the four-star point guard, making Ellis a member of their Class of 2025. Gamecocks coach Lamont Paris has assembled a strong freshman class for the 2025-26 NCAA season, also adding Hayden Assemian, EJ Walker and Grant Polk.

South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Lamont Paris reacts after losing to the Auburn Tigers at Colonial Life Arena. Photo: Imagn

The Gamecocks will need all the help they can get after recording a disappointing start to the 2024-25 season. They have won just 10 of their first 18 games, putting them at the bottom of the SEC standings.