Last Updated on April 16, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here’s a detailed profile of Jermaine O’Neal:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Jermaine Lee O’Neal
  • Nickname: J.O., The Kid, T.K.
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born October 13, 1978
  • Hometown: Columbia, South Carolina, USA
  • Height: 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
  • Weight: 255 lbs (116 kg)
  • Wingspan: 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m)
  • Shoe Size: Size 18 (US)
  • Jersey Number: #7, #6, #33, #20
  • Position: Power forward / Center
  • High School: Eau Claire High School (Columbia, SC)
  • College: None (entered the NBA straight out of high school)
  • Player Archetype: Two-way face-up interior scorer
  • Primary Offensive Role: Mid-post isolation scorer with face-up drives and turnaround jumpers
  • Defensive Role: Weak-side rim protector and interior anchor
  • Play Style: High-usage scoring big who attacked from mid-post, used length for shot blocking, and operated in half-court offense
  • Handedness / Shooting Hand: Right
  • Athletic Profile: Long, fluid leaper with quick second jump and above-average mobility for a near-seven-footer
  • Recruiting Status: Elite high school prospect (straight-to-NBA candidate)
  • Draft Status Detail: Declared directly from high school at age 17; youngest NBA player at debut
  • Injury Status Category: Injury-affected prime (knee and durability decline post-2006)
  • Career Stage: Retired former All-Star big (2000s peak)
  • Comparison Style: Chris Bosh / Rasheed Wallace hybrid interior scorer
  • NBA Draft: 1996 NBA Draft, 1st round (17th overall) by the Portland Trail Blazers
  • Teams Played For:
    1. Portland Trail Blazers (1996–2000)
    2. Indiana Pacers (2000–2008)
    3. Toronto Raptors (2008–2009)
    4. Miami Heat (2009–2010)
    5. Boston Celtics (2010–2012)
    6. Phoenix Suns (2012–2013)
    7. Golden State Warriors (2013–2014)
  • Championship Rings: 0 (Did not win an NBA championship)
  • Parents: Raised primarily by mother Angela Ocean (father absent)
  • Kids: Jermaine O’Neal has two children, a son named Jermaine Jr. and a daughter named Asjia O’Neal (Asjia is a collegiate volleyball player).
  • Siblings: Jermaine O’Neal has a brother named Clifford O’Neal.
  • Athlete Relatives: Jermaine O’Neal Jr. (basketball prospect)
  • Retirement Age: 36
  • Retirement Year: 2014

Player Archetype / Play Style

Jermaine O’Neal’s player archetype was a two-way face-up scoring big who combined mid-post shot creation with rim protection, functioning offensively as a primary interior isolation option while anchoring the defense as a weak-side shot blocker. At 6-11 with long arms and fluid mobility, he thrived attacking from the high and mid-post, using jab steps, turnarounds, and straight-line drives rather than traditional back-to-the-basket bruising. His physical traits—length, vertical pop, and quick second jump—translated into strong help defense and shot-blocking presence, particularly during his Indiana prime. The overall play style leaned toward a high-usage half-court scorer who could defend the paint, rebound, and protect the rim, making him one of the more mobile two-way power forwards of the early-2000s era.

Fun Facts

  • Jermaine O’Neal is known for his time with the Indiana Pacers, where he became a six-time NBA All-Star and one of the premier big men in the league.
  • After retiring from basketball, he became involved in business and youth sports development, launching a youth basketball training facility in Texas. He also co-owns a sports management company.

Sources:
Basketball-Reference — Jermaine O’Neal Stats and Bio
Wikipedia — Jermaine O’Neal
StatMuse — Jermaine O’Neal career summary