UCLA freshman Shareef O'Neal announced Friday he will sit out the year due to a serious heart condition that requires surgery.
"The other day during a routine checkup we found a medical issue dealing with my heart," O'Neal told TMZ Sports. "Thank God the UCLA medical staff found it early but I will not be playing this season and I will be a medical redshirt."
Shareef, son of Hall of Fame center Shaquille O'Neal, remains optimistic about returning next season.
"A lot of people are asking if it's career ending. The answer is absolutely not," he said. "It's just a little bump in the road and I'll be back in no time."
O'Neal expects to remain in school and turn his attention to his health and studies.