The son of newly minted Laker LeBron James will likely play basketball at Crossroads High School following a swirl of internet media reports Monday.
The high school declined to comment Monday but multiple reports surfaced Monday claiming the son of the NBA superstar would play in Santa Monica over the nearby NBA child magnet Sierra Canyon.
Sierra Canyon is already home to the children of Scottie Pippen and Kenyon Martin. However, Crossroads was recently home to the son of retired NBA great Shaquille O'Neal.
Shareef O’Neal signed a grant-in-aid to attend UCLA this fall. He will enroll in summer school this month.
The 6-foot-10, 220-pounder from Los Angeles played the last two seasons at Crossroads High in nearby Santa Monica. As a senior last season, O'Neal helped the school win the CIF Division II state title for the first time since 1997. He had 29 points, 17 rebounds and five blocks in the title game. O'Neal averaged 27 points as a senior while Crossroads finished with a 25-9 record.
UCLA coach Steve Alford says O'Neal brings a "terrific combination of size, skill and athleticism."
O'Neal joins fellow freshmen Jules Bernard, Moses Brown, Tyger Campbell, Kenneth Nwuba and David Singleton in UCLA's incoming class.
Shaquille O'Neal starred at LSU before going on to the NBA, where he won four championships including three with the Los Angeles Lakers.
LeBron James signed a four-year deal worth $153.3 million with Los Angeles in July. In addition to finding a home for his kids, the superstar has taken the opportunity to expand his media presence recently announcing a new TV show.
James is behind the three-part documentary series "Shut Up and Dribble" announced Monday by Showtime.
Set to debut in October, the same month James suits up for his new team, the series looks at the changing role of athletes in the current political and cultural climate against the backdrop of the NBA.
Its title comes from a comment Fox News host Laura Ingraham made to James in February when she sought to rebuke him for talking politics during an interview.
James executive produced the series along with his business partner Maverick Carter and his agent Rich Paul.
editor@smdp.com
The Associated Press contributed to this report
