Me’Arah O’Neal, the youngest daughter of NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, hinted at her potential boyfriend and dating life through a fun Instagram post promoting Tinder U.
In November 2024, Me’Arah O’Neal, the youngest daughter of NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, made headlines for a rather unexpected reason. She hinted at her dating life through a fun Instagram post promoting Tinder U, a dating app feature for college students.
The post caught her family’s attention, especially her older brother Myles O’Neal, who had a funny reaction to the news.
While her elder brother, Myles O’Neal, reacted with surprise, her sister, Amirah, a standout college basketball player at LSU, seemed amused by the events.
Me’Arah O’Neal Tinder U Dating Reveal Ignited Different Family Reactions!
In the Instagram video, Me’Arah O’Neal promoted Tinder U through an Instagram video, hinting that she’s having a good time in the dating scene.
She shared that she needed a plus-one for a party but didn’t have time to find a date because of her busy schedule with basketball and school. She wrote:
Yo, what’s good y’all. It’s me, Meezy O’Neal. Get ready with me to go on a date. Got invited to a party, but the invitation says I need a plus one. With playing and going to college all week, I haven’t had the time to find a date. I know it’s super last-minute, but I got a little secret. Have you heard of Tinder U
Me’Arah explained how Tinder U helped her connect with someone from her school who shares her interests.
“It’s fun and easy,” Me’Arah said about the app designed to match college students with others on or near their campus.
That said, Me’Arah didn’t share the name of the person she’s dating, keeping the details surrounding her relationship status private. Also, some believe it might be just a part of the promotion.
Since that event, she hasn’t mentioned anything about her potential love life. For now, Me’Arah’s focus is on balancing college life, basketball, and new opportunities.
Her elder brother, Myles O’Neal, was shocked to learn his little sister was dating. He jokingly commented on the post, hinting he might show up to check on her, writing:
You go on dates??? Yeah, I’m about to crash. Wait Wth.
Me’Arah replied, “Y’all so unserious,” keeping the mood light.
Myles O'Neal is shocked to learn his baby sister goes out on dates 🤯 pic.twitter.com/gXFjSiotYS
— What are (W)NBA Celebs Upto? (@NBACelebsUpdate) November 12, 2024
Her sister Amirah, a basketball player at LSU, found the situation amusing and seemed more impressed by the paid sponsorship deal Me’Arah landed with Tinder U.
Whereas Me’Arah’s mother, Shaunie O’Neal, a successful businesswoman, encouraged Me’Arah to take advantage of NIL deals, which let college athletes earn money from sponsorships.
Shaunie pointed out that these opportunities, like the Tinder U post, can help Me’Arah build her brand and save money before going pro.
She noted that WNBA salaries, with a top base pay of $252,000, are often lower than what college athletes can earn through NIL deals, like Angel Reese, who made millions in college.
Whereas, while it’s unclear how Shaquille O’Neal, Me’Arah’s father, feels about Me’Arah’s Tinder U post, he is known for being protective of his daughters.
Previously, on his podcast, he revealed that he expects his daughter to have a boyfriend who has a master’s degree.
Likewise, on The Ellen Show, Shaq also mentioned a rule that his daughters couldn’t date until they were 24, whereas his sons could start dating at 18.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Me’Arah O’Neal’s parents, Shaquille O’Neal, an NBA legend, and Shaunie O’Neal, entrepreneur and TV producer, separated in September 2007 and finalized their divorce in November 2009.
- She is a freshman on the Florida Gators women’s basketball team. As a freshman, she started all 24 games and averaged 5.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 2.5 blocks per game, helping her team to a 19-5 record and the state quarterfinals.
