Who Is Jermaine O'Neal? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Born on October 13, 1978, Jermaine O'Neal is now 46 years old. Hailing from Columbia, South Carolina, O'Neal rose to prominence as a professional basketball player in the NBA, where he played for several teams, including the Portland Trail Blazers and the Indiana Pacers. Known for his incredible skills on the court, O'Neal's journey began in high school where he was recognized as one of the top prospects in the nation.
| Occupation | Basketball Players |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | October 13, 1978 |
| Age | 46 Years |
| Birth Place | Columbia, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Libra |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Jermaine O'Neal's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Jermaine O'Neal stands tall at 6 feet 11 inches (2.11 m), an imposing figure in the realm of basketball. Throughout his career, he maintained an athletic build, generally weighing around 250 pounds (113 kg). His strong physique contributed to his effectiveness as a power forward/center, allowing him to dominate in both offensive and defensive play.
The Pacers looked to build on their previous campaign in the 2004–05 season, but all their plans came apart on November 19. In a game against the Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills, a brawl named "The Malice at the Palace" broke out that spilled into the stands, after a fan threw a drink on Indiana Pacer Ron Artest.
O'Neal was one of the Pacers who fought with two fans who came onto the court; he ran to defend teammate Ron Artest and punched one of the fans in the head so hard that teammate Scot Pollard and sportscaster Jim Gray feared that O'Neal would kill the fan.
As he and his Pacer teammates left the court, many enraged fans threw snacks, drinks, and even a folding chair at O'Neal. In response to O'Neal's actions during the brawl, NBA Commissioner David Stern suspended him for 25 games; teammates Artest and Stephen Jackson were suspended for the rest of the season and 30 games, respectively.
Following an appeal just before Christmas, O'Neal won a ten-game reduction in his sentence, but this did not mitigate the damage that Indiana had already suffered. Stripped of three of its core players, the team hobbled to a 44–38 record and the sixth seed. O'Neal appeared in only 44 games, his lowest total ever with Indiana.
Although his scoring average improved to 24.3 points per game, his rebounding dropped and he was no longer the same intimidating presence on defense. Things worsened when he sprained his right shoulder in March and played sparingly for the remainder of the regular season, while hoping to recover in time for the playoffs.
The Pacers drew the Celtics in the first round, and managed to salvage their season by winning the series 4–3. O'Neal's offensive output dropped, and he shot poorly from the field. When the Pacers met the Pistons in the semifinals, they were eliminated in six games.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Jermaine O'Neal is rumored to be dating actress and model, whose public persona aligns with his active lifestyle. While he prefers to keep his personal life private, O'Neal is a father to several children and often shares his experiences as a dedicated dad. His strong family values play an essential role in his life, influencing his decisions both on and off the court.
He and his older brother, Clifford, were raised by their mother, Angela Ocean. Ocean worked hard to support her sons and left her children largely to their own devices. O'Neal found his love for athletics at a young age. Tall and quick, he enjoyed both American football and basketball, but basketball was his favorite sport.
Two of his basketball heroes are Hakeem Olajuwon and Bill Russell; O'Neal often marveled at Olajuwon's approach to the game, while he loved watching Russell's video highlights of his duels with Wilt Chamberlain.
Net Worth and Salary
Jermaine O'Neal has accumulated considerable wealth throughout his career, with an estimated net worth of $70 million as of 2025. His earnings stem not only from his successful basketball career but also from multiple endorsements and business ventures. During his time in the NBA, he earned a substantial salary, peaking at $23 million in a single year. Post-retirement, he continues to generate income through selective endorsements, public appearances, and investments.
O'Neal was given jersey #6 for the Raptors since his number with the Pacers (#7) was already owned by Andrea Bargnani.
While he was expected to combine with Toronto's three-time All-Star Chris Bosh to form a strong frontcourt and provide greater rebounding and interior defense for the Raptors, O'Neal's arrival was dwarfed by the Elton Brand signing pulled off by division rivals Philadelphia.
O'Neal wasted no time in imposing his style on his new team: in the season opener at Philadelphia, he pointed to hecklers in the home crowd after making a dunk; in the team's second game, Toronto's center blocked a dunk from Golden State's Brandan Wright and thereafter waved a finger in disapproval.
Even so, it took O'Neal some time to find his offensive game: he reached the 20-point mark just twice in his first 23 games, before notching three straight thereafter. By the All-Star break, injuries had ruled the big man out for almost a quarter of Toronto's games, while Bargnani regained his starting spot with a streak of solid performances.
This, coupled with the Raptors entering the break placed 14th in the conference and 13 games under .500, Toronto General Manager Bryan Colangelo looked to move O'Neal to bring in a wing player and free up salary space.
Career, Business, and Investments
O'Neal's career in the NBA spanned from 1996 to 2014, during which he was named an NBA All-Star six times and was a key player in the Indiana Pacers' push to the playoffs. After retiring, he transitioned into multiple business ventures, including investments in tech startups and participating in minimal non-profit organizations focusing on youth athletics. His entrepreneurial spirit has allowed him to remain relevant in the business world, leveraging his brand and experience to foster successful ventures.
Jermaine Lee O'Neal Sr. (born October 13, 1978) is an American former professional basketball player. A center/power forward, he had a successful high school career and declared his eligibility for the 1996 NBA draft straight out of high school.
O'Neal, at just 17 years of age, was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 17th overall pick, and played his first professional game at 18. At the time, he was the youngest player to ever play an NBA game.
Social Network
Jermaine O'Neal maintains an active presence on social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter, where he shares insights into his personal life, career highlights, and philanthropic efforts. With a following that appreciates his authenticity, O'Neal uses these platforms to inspire and connect with fans, promoting healthy lifestyles and community engagement.
Each summer, O'Neal would play for an AAU team and impressed onlookers with his athleticism and his ability to handle the ball with both hands. By the time he turned 14, the 6ft 4in O'Neal—now a confident guard who could drain three-pointers—entered Eau Claire High School of the Arts as a freshman in 1992.
In his first meeting with basketball coach George Glymph, he made the bold promise to become the best player in the school's history.
While O'Neal's first season was hardly noteworthy (he even played as quarterback for the Eau Claire team) things changed when he grew five inches over the next year and a half, and he was inspired to develop into a defensive powerhouse like his idol, Bill Russell.
Glymph built his team's defense around O'Neal, and Eau Claire featured one of the most imposing frontcourts around. With O'Neal averaging 18 points, 12 rebounds and 9 blocks a game, Eau Claire captured its third straight 3A state title in 1995.
Education
O'Neal attended Eau Claire High School, where his talent was evident, leading him to skip college and pursue a career directly in the NBA. However, he has expressed a continued passion for education, advocating for the importance of learning and growth, both for himself and for younger generations to follow their dreams in sports and beyond.
In conclusion, Jermaine O'Neal remains a prominent figure in the basketball community as of 2025, celebrated for his achievements on the court and his influence off of it. His journey is a testament to hard work, dedication, and the pursuit of excellence in every facet of life.
In his senior season at Eau Claire, O'Neal's averages of 22.4 points, 12.4 rebounds and 5.2 blocks per game ensured that he was voted First Team All-State, South Carolina's Player of the Year and "Mr. Basketball". Named to USA Today's All-USA Basketball Team, he earned a spot in the McDonald's All-American Game as well.
Despite being one of the nation's top prospects, O'Neal's future in college basketball was uncertain. He scored poorly on the SATs, and Glymph advised against him making the leap to the NBA.
But it was only a year before that another South Carolinian—future NBA All-Star Kevin Garnett—had made a seamless transition from high school to the NBA, and O'Neal thought he could emulate Garnett.
