Ht: 6”11
Wt: 245
Position: Forward/Center
Born: October 13, 1978 in Columbia, S.C.
High School: Eau Claire (S.C.)
Drafted: First Round, 17th Overall - Pck Portland Trail Blazers
Jermaine O'Neal attended Eau Claire High School where he helped his team win three state championships and in his senior year was named Mr. Basketball in the state of South Carolina.
Jermaine O'Neal became the youngest player ever in NBA history when he entered the game against the Denver Nuggets on December 5, 1996.
When professional basketball teams draft high school players, the teams need to be patient and develop the players. The Portland Trail Blazers did not do this. They buried him on the bench and gave Jermaine O’Neal very little opportunity to show what kind of a player he was. While playing for Portland, he never played more than 13 minutes per game and never averaged more than 4.6 points per game. After years of frustration, Portland traded Jermaine O’Neal to Indiana for Dale Davis and his career quickly took off. His numbers skyrocketed simply by being given a chance to touch the ball and be an integral part of a team. |
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After joining the Indiana Pacers, Jermaine became the NBA’s most improved player in 2002 and has been named to the All-NBA second team once and the third team twice. Jermaine O’Neal has also been an NBA All-Star the last four years (2002-2005). Jermaine ONeal also finished third in MVP voting in 2003-04. Since his arrival in Indiana, he has continually been on the roster for our USA National Teams.
Jermaine O'Neal is featured on Better Basketball's video Better Post Play. Jermaine sits down with basketball guru Rick Torbett and discusses the game of basketball. Better Post Play covers the fundamentals and philosophy of playing in the post, ways to get open without the ball, moves with the ball, and drills to improve your post game. Below are some sample questions and answers from Jermaine O'Neal and Rick Torbett's discussion.
Rick Torbett. What is your favorite move?
Jermaine O'Neal. The turn around jump shot. If you take a dribble or two into the lane and spin toward the baseline, you can create good spacing and its hard to stop.
Rick Torbett. Favorite move to get open?
Jermaine O'Neal. First you have to be patient and don’t fight with guys. Let the play develop, let the ball rotate. If the ball is rotated and you are on the weak side, quickly duck into the lane to get the ball.
Rick Torbett. What do you do when someone fronts you?
Jermaine O'Neal. I think it is a great move to let them front you. Your guard can lob it over their head or if the ball is rotated, be strong and seal them off to receive a pass from the top of the key or opposite wing.
Rick Torbett. What is the easiest basket or move for a post player?
Jermaine O'Neal. Run the floor and beat the other team’s post player down the floor. Beat them down the floor and set up on the block for an easy pass from the guards. |
