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Shaquille O’Neal Says His Kids Get ‘Nervous’ When He Watches Their Games: ‘I Try Not to Bother Them’

O’Neal’s youngest daughter Me’Arah recently made her collegiate debut with the Florida Gators, while son Shaqir plays for the Florida A&M Rattlers

L: Shaquille O’Neal R: Shaqir O’Neal. Photo: Rodin Eckenroth/Getty ;George Walker/Icon Sportswire/Getty 

Shaquille O’Neal says he makes his kids nervous when he watches their basketball games.

The 52-year-old former NBA star tells PEOPLE exclusively that while he’s “super proud” of all six of his children, he tries “not to bother them” — especially when they’re on the basketball court.

Me’Arah O’Neal, 18 — who made her collegiate debut with the University of Florida Gators earlier this month — scored seven points, and had five rebounds and two blocks in her first game on Monday, Nov. 4.

That same night, Shaq sat courtside to watch son Shaqir’s debut with the Florida A&M Rattlers, who tipped off the season at TCU in Fort Worth, Texas.

Shaqir O’Neal, 21, who played the last three seasons at Texas Southern, is averaging 5.7 points and 3.7 rebounds for the Rattlers so far this year.

Shaqir O’Neal and Shaquille O’Neal attend the 44th Annual Sports Emmy Awards at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center on May 22, 2023 in New York City.Arturo Holmes/Getty

“A lot of times when I go watch them play, they get nervous,” says the 7-foot, 1-inch Hall of Famer. “I don’t ever want to make them nervous, so I just try to watch from afar.”

Instead, O’Neal tells PEOPLE that he tries “to participate in déjà vu parenting,” explaining that his parents took the same approach when raising him.

“My mom and dad never really bothered me. They raised me to be a particular way, and then they said, ‘You’re 18, you’re an adult.’ “

Shaquille O’Neal (4th R) and his children attend The Event hosted by the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation at MGM Grand Garden Arena on October 01, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Denise Truscello/Getty

O’Neal — who announced his partnership with DraftKings this month — says he’s been applying the same technique, “and it’s been working.”

Still, the Inside the NBA analyst can’t resist boasting about Me’Arah.

“My baby girl, she had 18 points playing yesterday,” he says, referring to the Gators’ 104-35 slaughter over the Chicago State Cougars.

“I’m very, super proud of her. I’m super proud of my son. Well. All my kids, but I try not to bother them,” he says.

Me’Arah O”Neal warms up before the McDonald’s All American Girls Game on April 2, 2024.Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire/Getty

O’Neal and his ex-wife, Shaunie O’Neal, share four children: sons Shareef and Shaqir and daughters Amirah and Me’arah. The athlete also has a stepson, Myles, from Shaunie’s previous relationship, and a daughter, Taahirah, with his former girlfriend, Arnetta Yardbourgh.

And when he’s not watching his kids follow in his large footsteps, O’Neal says he’s “always looking to work with brands on new, innovative ways to drive fan engagement around sports.”

Through his partnership with DraftKings, O’Neal says he’s excited for fans to enjoy the excitement of this season’s NBA Cup through the betting app’s NBA Cup Double Up Boost.

“Throughout the NBA Cup, Sportsbook customers will receive the NBA Cup double up boost every Tuesday and Friday consisting of one NBA same game parlay profit boost, and one NBA live boost,” O’Neal explains.

But as the popularity of sports betting grows, O’Neal wants to remind fans to be responsible this NBA season. “I also think it’s very important to play responsibly,” he says. “I want you to keep it fun, I want you to have a game plan, and please stay within your limits.”