O’NEAL JOINS THE REBUILD

Shaqir O’Neal is officially a FAMU Rattler for the 2024-24 season.

In a massive vote of confidence, the youngest son of an NBA legend has joined Coach Patrick Crarey in Tallahassee. While entering his final two years of eligibility, O’Neal has decided to lend his abilities to a Rattlers program in the first year of a full, unreserved rebuild. Last season, O’Neal’s former team ended the season in the top five of the fiercely competitive Southwestern Athletic Conference. At the time, O’Neal averaged 1.6 points and 1.3 rebounds per game in 8.5 minutes per game in his two previous seasons. In 2022, flashes of his potential shined when the opportunity presented itself for O’Neal, scoring a career-high 12 points and a career-high seven rebounds during that season. Unfortunately, this upside did little to earn Shaqir his own respect as playmaker, or first-team minutes.

Meanwhile, the Rattlers posted a 13-45 record last season.

Shaqir brings additional size and skill to the program. Having played for one of the premier programs in our conference, he brings experience to our group.

He’s very talented, his skill set and our system really match. A phenomenal young man he fits our culture. Welcome Home ???? pic.twitter.com/rPp29LuFtL

— Patrick E. Crarey, II (@CoachCrarey) July 9, 2024

WHEN OPPORTUNITY PRESENTS ITSELF

First-year FAMU Head Coach Crarey has presented the perfect opportunity for the younger O’Neal.

In addition to O’Neal, the Rattlers have welcomed several new pieces ahead of the upcoming 2024-25 season. Four junior college transfers have bolstered the Rattlers roster, adding fresh energy to the Crarey system.

• Jamine Charles arrived from Blinn Junior College. A 6’11 forward, he averaged 4.8 rebounds per game and 7.3 points per game in two seasons at BJC. Throughout his career, Charles recorded 20 career steals, 66 blocks, 284 rebounds, and 429 points.
• Lenard Taylor arrived from Clarendon College, will also join the Rattlers this season. At CC, Taylor played in 32 games and averaged 12.4 points per game. He shot 42.6% from the field, 37.6% from three and 72.2% from the free throw line. He recorded 27 steals and a total of 139 rebounds.
• Kaleb Washington joins the Rattlers as a 6’8 guard from Butler Community College. Prior to BCC, Washington played at the University of Dayton where he recorded 18 career points and 3 career steals. While at BCC, Washington started in 20 games, averaging 11.2 points per game. He recorded 28 steals and 14 blocks throughout his career. He shot 40.8% from the field, and 70.6% from the free-throw line. Washington scored 303 total points and managed 60 assists for BCC.
• Tyler Shirley joins the roster as a 6’8 forward from Clayton State. Prior to CSU, Shirley completed two seasons at South Alabama where he played in 34 games. There, he scored 63 points and snagged 63 rebounds. He averaged 8.4 minutes a game before spending his junior season at CSU. There, he averaged a team second-best 11.7 points a game and 4.3 rebounds a game. He secured 14 double-digit scoring games including four 20+ point efforts. He shot 46% from the field, 32% from behind the arc and 76% from the free throw line.

REBUILD, REFANG, RELOAD

Sterling Young and Trey Lewis III arrive in May.

Young joined Florida A&M after spending the last season at Charlotte. Young appeared in five games and tallied 12 points, three steals, two assists, and two rebounds across 36 minutes. He had a season-high nine points, two assists, and two steals versus Greensboro. Lewis III started for one of the top junior college men’s basketball teams, Des Moines Area Community College, and finished fifth in the NJCAA National Tournament. Lewis III was the team’s second-leading scorer, averaging 14.5 points per game, and led the team averaging 5.9 assists per game. Lewis III also averaged 4.5 rebounds per game, shooting 46% from the field, 36% from three, and 83% from the free throw line. Lewis III was also named to the NJCAA All-Region First Team. Since his arrival in April, Coach Patrick Crarey has set to the work of rebuilding, and reconstructing the FAMU Basketball program.

Watch this space.

Coach Crarey has made it to the Highest of Seven Hills!

Coach Crarey will be officially introduced tomorrow at 2 PM ET on Rattlers+. #FAMU | #FAMUly | #Rattlers | #FangsUp ???? pic.twitter.com/ATmhu1hi1c

— Florida A&M Men’s Basketball ???? (@FAMU_MBB) April 18, 2024