Former Golden State Warriors forward Jermaine O’Neal’s father reportedly passed away in a tragic car accident.
Jermaine O’Neal recently appeared on the Out The Mud podcast and shared a surprising personal revelation.
He disclosed that his last name is fabricated and that he comes from a huge family. He said,
“Crazy story—my last name is made up… That’s not even [my dad’s] name… And here’s the wild part: I’m one of 33 kids. True story,”
Jermaine O’Neal
O’Neal is best known for his eight-season run with the Indiana Pacers from 2000 to 2008, during which he earned six NBA All-Star selections and established himself as one of the league’s premier big men.
He was involved in the infamous “Malice at the Palace” incident in 2004 when a brawl broke out between players and fans during a game in Detroit.
Jermaine was one of the Pacers who engaged with fans who stormed the court and was subsequently suspended for 25 games by the NBA.
Jermaine O’Neal’s Father Left Him And His Mother, Angela, When He Was Conceived
Born on October 13, 1978, in Columbia, South Carolina, Jermaine O’Neal, 48, was raised by his mother, Angela Ocean, after his father abandoned his family when Jermaine was conceived.
Jermaine didn’t meet his father until he was well into his professional career, but that reunion didn’t last.
During one of the interviews, O’Neal said he didn’t meet his father until he was 30. After nine months, his father tragically died in a car accident.
O’Neal said,
“I didn’t meet my father until he was 30. And he died nine months after that,” “I was truly blessed to have a core of people around me that helped me get through my struggles, but I guarantee you not one team I played for knew that about me.”
Jermaine O’Neal
Jermaine also revealed that his father went to jail for murder and got out after several years.
While Jermaine’s father was never a part of his childhood, his mother, Angela, single-handedly raised him and supported him in achieving his goal of playing in the NBA.
Angela worked two jobs to support the family.
Jermaine shares a close bond with his mother, Angela. On May 12, 2025, Jermaine took to his official Instagram handle and wished Angela a happy Mother’s Day.
Mom, thank you for the foundation of love, strength, and faith that you built for our family. Your guidance and sacrifices have shaped me into the man I am today.
Jermaine O’Neal
Jermaine O’Neal Has One Brother And 31 Half-Siblings
Jermaine O’Neal grew up with his older brother, Clifford O’Neal, 50, born in 1976.
His father was present for the first two years of his elder brother, Clifford.
Although Clifford has stayed away from the media spotlight, he has always supported his brother in achieving his athletic dreams.
Additionally, Jermaine has 31 half-siblings. During the interview, Jermaine said that he only met 17 of them when his father died.
Jermaine O’Neal has yet to meet half of his siblings.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- On December 13, 2013, Jermaine O’Neal underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right wrist. He returned to action on February 4, 2014.
- Jermaine is married to Mesha and has two children: a son, Jermaine Jr., and a daughter, Asjia. Asia is an AVCA All-American volleyball player and won the 2022 and 2023 NCAA national championships with the University of Texas.
- The Portland Trail Blazers selected O’Neal as the 17th pick in the 1996 NBA draft. The rookie was surrounded by veterans and emerging stars who could show him the ropes in Portland; forming the frontcourt with him were Arvydas Sabonis, Rasheed Wallace, and Cliff Robinson.
