Shaquille O’Neal has had enough of trolls going after WNBA players, especially Angel Reese and Lauren Betts.
During an appearance on the “Rich Eisen Show” last week, the NBA star told host Susie Schuster that he wished he “could punch some of these guys in the face who pick up my angel and pick up Lauren.”
“Because it is enough,” he said. “The problem with [sports media] Now you’re letting amateurs in, and amateurs think they have the same rights as you guys. You let all these guys come in, say things that are out of the ordinary, and move on. A lot of guys when they stop streaming, they want people to go to their page.
“So what do they do to go on their page?” They’ll take a hot topic and promote it on their page to attract their followers, but you know that’s just a lot of bullshit, a lot of [it is] Embarrassing, and a lot of bullying sometimes. Bullying men is fine, but I can’t let you bully females just so you can get likes.
Both Reese and Betts are affiliated with basketball brand Reebok — O’Neal is the brand’s president — and have been a long-time supporter of the Sky star, dating back to her college days at LSU, where he went to school.
Reese He told USA Today in 2024 O’Neal was a “father figure” to her during her college days, and his support came at a time marred by controversy over her mocking of star Kaitlyn Clark, who was playing for Iowa at the time.
Reese is currently averaging 13.1 points and 11 rebounds this year in her first season with the Dream, who acquired her over the offseason in a trade with the Sky.
Losing to the Storm on May 24, 2026 at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. NBAE via Getty Images
Bates, in her rookie season, averaged 5.1 points and 2.7 rebounds.
“They’re having fun, they’re playing great, they’re both determined to do great things, and I’m staying out of their way,” O’Neill said. “They have my number.
“They know if they need me, they can call me.”