In today’s world, where social media posts spark headlines and memes become “breaking news,” WNBA star Angel Reese found herself in the midst of a hilarious rumor about Shaquille O’Neal’s supposed 17 failed attempts to FaceTime her. And let’s be clear, folks: Reese was not having it.
The rumors started flying thanks to a TikTok by @itsalonn, who jumped on a post from NBA Centel—a parody account known for blending satire with just enough realism to fool people. In a now-viral TikTok, the user alleged that the NBA legend had tried FaceTiming Reese 17 times, supposedly in the aftermath of his appearance on her podcast. The kicker? The user seemingly missed the joke, presenting the whole story as fact, which led to Reese stepping in to set the record straight.
“Y’all know this isn’t real…,” Reese commented on the post, effectively putting the story to bed with the kind of side-eye only an athlete who’s spent years on social media could muster.
NBA Centel is notorious for trolling fans and celebrities alike with outlandish, too-good-to-be-true stories that many take seriously. Shaq’s alleged 17 FaceTime attempts were no exception; some fans were quick to believe he had really tried that hard to reach the LSU standout. The pranksters at NBA Centel might have cooked up the post as a lighthearted jab following Shaq’s appearance on Reese’s podcast, “Unapologetically Angel,” which had a mix of fans cheering and jeering due to his animated praise for the 22-year-old star.
The LSU connection between Shaq and Reese is deep-rooted; both played for the Tigers, and Shaq has acted as a mentor to Reese, who helped bring home LSU’s first NCAA championship in 2023. Shaq himself made history in purple and gold long before her, leading LSU to multiple NCAA tournament runs in the early ’90s before becoming the first overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft.
Reese’s friendship with Shaq is more than just an “LSU thing.” Earlier this year, she shared how genuinely supportive he’s been through her ups and downs. “He’s super inspiring to me,” Reese said in an interview with US Today. “He’s been there through tough times and cares about me as a person, not just a player.” It’s a bond that goes beyond basketball, underscored by Shaq’s signing of Reese to an endorsement deal with Reebok, where he serves as president of basketball operations. Reebok even has plans to launch Reese’s signature shoe in 2026, a major milestone for her career and for women’s sports.
While fans continue to joke about the “FaceTime saga,” Reese’s clapback serves as a reminder to check the source before you click “post” on that hot take. The story might be fake, but the friendship? That’s as real as it gets.
