Follow us on Google Discover Shaquille O’Neal took a playful dig at Angel Reese by reviving her famous ‘too small’ celebration during their reunion at LSU’s clash with Alabama.
The former NBA star was among several high-profile guests invited to Baton Rouge for the Tigers’ college football game, where Reese was also in attendance.
However, their reunion came just days after Reese suffered a painful WNBA Finals defeat with the Atlanta Dream, giving O’Neal’s joke an added edge.
Shaquille O’Neal uses Angel Reese’s own celebration to tease her
O’Neal was caught on video making Reese’s trademark ‘too small’ hand gesture right beside her on the sidelines.
The 24-year-old did not appear particularly impressed, swiping at the former Lakers star as he laughed and walked away.
The exchange was a reminder of the close relationship between the two LSU icons. O’Neal has taken Reese under his wing since they first met at an LSU football game in 2022 and even signed her to Reebok before she entered the WNBA.
Back then, Shaq supported her celebration. This time, he was on the other side of the joke.
Reese’s reaction also came after the gesture had become a talking point following Atlanta’s Finals defeat to the Golden State Valkyries.
During Game 3, Reese recorded 21 points and 12 rebounds in a 97-71 victory that gave the Dream a 2-1 series lead. She directed her ‘too small’ taunt towards the Valkyries’ bench, specifically targeting centre Aminata Gueye.
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Golden State eventually recovered to win the series in seven games, claiming the championship in just their second season.
The celebration then resurfaced during the Valkyries’ championship parade in San Francisco. Former Golden State Warriors centre Festus Ezeli held up a shirt featuring Reese’s gesture alongside the crying Michael Jordan meme, while fans handed out pink pacifiers carrying a message aimed at Atlanta.
O’Neal’s joke in Baton Rouge added another chapter to the story, this time involving someone Reese considers a mentor.
The LSU reunion was part of a star-studded pregame appearance organised by head coach Lane Kiffin. Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, former LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne and actor Kevin Costner were also among the guests.
The Tigers, however, lost 31-13 to Alabama, leaving the home crowd with little to celebrate on the field.
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