Shaquille O’Neal didn’t hold back on his statement.

Shaquille O’Neal attends as The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation & Icy Hot unveil the latest “Comebaq Court” at Shaq’s Boys & Girls Club on May 11, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Derek White/Getty Images for Icy hot) White/Getty Images for Icy ho

Shaquille O’Neal is riding with Bronny James as the rookie attempts to find his way in the NBA. TMZ caught up with the Big Aristotle recently where the outlet asked him about LeBron James‘ son.

While Bronny’s presence in the league has garnered a mixed reaction, O’Neal sent a clear message to his “nephew.”

“Keep playing hard, Bronny,” Shaq affectionately said. “Uncle Shaq loves you.” And if there is anybody who is qualified to speak on Bronny, Shaq may be the perfect person.

The legendary Los Angeles Laker’s son, Shareef, also wanted to play basketball professionally. Like Bronny, Shareef suffered from a congenital heart defect that required open-heart surgery.

After recovering, Shareef O’Neal would go undrafted but eventually join the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2022 NBA Summer League. In September 2022, the young O’Neal signed to the NBA G League Ignite as a veteran player.

During his time as a Laker, Shareef faced criticism from pundits and NBA legends alike, with former Laker Robert Horry even questioning whether he had the chops to be NBA material.

Two years later, Bronny is going through the same thing. But, according to LeBron James, Bronny doesn’t care about any of the noise—he just wants to ball.

Shaquille O’Neal #34, Center for the Los Angeles Lakers prepares to shoot a free throw during the NBA Pacific Division basketball game against the Sacramento Kings on 12th March 2000 at the STAPLES Center arena in Los Angeles, California, United States. The Lakers won the game 109 – 106. Laberge/Getty Images

“I don’t know if people really understand Bronny,” James told ESPN. “He doesn’t care. I actually care a little bit.

When I came in [as a rookie], I wanted people to like me, and some of the things that people were saying about me kind of bothered me early on in my career… He doesn’t give a f**k.

“He does not care about nobody. He doesn’t even listen to that stuff. He’s like the coolest.

He’s like the complete opposite of his dad. His dad will say something [to address the critics]. Bro does not care… Everything that’s being said about him, he really does not care.”

In June, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Bronny James with the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

With the selection, LeBron and his eldest son are the first father-son duo to play in the league simultaneously.

Bronny has since averaged 4.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.3 steals in four NBA Summer League appearances