In the wake of Arizona’s alleged involvement in the FBI’s college basketball bribery investigation, there has been rampant speculation that Wildcat commit and ESPN No. 24 high school senior Shareef O’Neal would be reopening his recruitment and possibly landing at Kentucky.

“There are rumors that [O’Neal] is likely to decommit from Arizona,” 247Sports’ Andrew Slater told CatsPause.com in the fall.

“With [dad] Shaquille O’Neal’s previously stated affinity for Kentucky coach John Calipari there’s plenty of reason to believe Kentucky could be in the mix for Shareef O’Neal,” added USA Today’s Cam Smith.

But now O’Neal has shot down the rumors, stating he plans to stay put in the desert.

“I’m 100 percent still going to Arizona,” O’Neal told USA Today. “Nothing has happened, so I am still planning to go to Arizona next season. They’re family.”

The high-flying 6-9 forward, whose father is NBA great Shaquille O’Neal, averaged 14.1 points and 7.3 rebounds a game last season at Crossroads High School.

And playing on a loaded Cal Supreme Nike EYBL team alongside 7-2 center and No. 4 Sr Bol Bol, O’Neal averaged an impressive 15.1 points and 6.1 rebounds this summer.

According to Scout’s Josh Gershon, O’Neal has a very different game than his post-up center dad Shaq.

“[Shareef] O’Neal is an athletic four man with good size, length and athleticism who can score with his jumper or around the basket,” wrote Gershon. “His physical tools give him upside as a rebounder and defender.”

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