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UCLA Basketball: A look at the six-player freshman class

By Mike Regalado

LEXINGTON, KY - DECEMBER 03: Head coach Steve Alford of the UCLA Bruins reacts in the first half of the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena on December 3, 2016 in Lexington, Kentucky. UCLA defeated Kentucky 97-92. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY - DECEMBER 03: Head coach Steve Alford of the UCLA Bruins reacts in the first half of the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena on December 3, 2016 in Lexington, Kentucky. UCLA defeated Kentucky 97-92. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Shareef O’Neal, PF, 6-9, 210

Prospect Rating: ★★★★ | Position Ranking: 8 | National Ranking: 41

What He Brings

O’Neal is going to make himself known if he hasn’t already as the son of one of Shaq, one of the most recognizable basketball players to ever walk the planet. Maybe he is trying to live up to his namesake, but you can’t miss Shareef when he is on the court. He always plays with a certain type of flair and it doesn’t include cockiness. O’Neal likes to attack the basket, similar to how his father did, but unlike his father, he has added to his game. Shareef will not only be a force around that basket, but he has also developed a nice, consistent turnaround jumper.

How He Will Fit

The Bruins are going to be deep in the frontcourt the season and O’Neal will only add to the damage that all of these big men are going to do. O’Neal is great at making space and reacts quickly, which should help him fit perfectly in with this uptempo offense.

How Many Minutes Will He Play

20-30 minutes. UCLA lose big men Thomas Welsh and Gyorgy Goloman but have O’Neal, Kenny Nwuba, Moses Brown, junior Alex Olesinski, and redshirt freshmen Jalen Hill and Cody Riley to give minutes to. Unless someone stands out and shows that they deserve to be on the court at all times, the frontcourt minutes could be divided evenly among all these big men.