Four-star Dallas-area recruit, son of NBA All-Star, Jermaine O’Neal Jr. commits to SMU

New SMU head basketball coach Andy Enfield made a big splash on the recruiting trail Wednesday afternoon, as the Mustangs landed four-star prospect Jermaine O’Neal Jr.

The forward and son of former NBA All-Star Jermaine O’Neal chose SMU over Vanderbilt. He is Enfield’s first commitment in the Class of 2025.

247Sports rates O’Neal as the No. 149 player in the country, No. 11 player in Texas and No. 34 small forward in this recruiting class. ESPN and On3 both rate O’Neal inside their respective top 100 rankings for the Class of 2025.

“There were several key factors that led to my decision, as I believe SMU offers the perfect environment for my development both on and off the court,” he told 247Sports. “First and foremost, their move to the ACC was a major attraction for me. The ACC is, without a doubt, one of the most prestigious conferences in college basketball history. The level of competition and exposure it provides is second to none.”

“Coach Enfield and his staff were a significant part of my decision,” O’Neal Jr. said. “Their track record of sending players to the NBA really stood out to me. I believe they can help me reach my full potential because the love and support I’ve received from the SMU staff has been unparalleled.”

O’Neal Jr. is from Southlake, but attends Dynamic Prep, which is an Irving-based prep academy his father Jermaine founded in 2022.

Texas Monthly reported in February that more than half of Dynamic Prep’s schedule this past season was played against teams from outside Texas and that players report to the complex by 9 a.m. on weekdays for self-paced instruction that’s done primarily online.

“We want to create a model that is conducive to competing from an academic standpoint, which is literally number one on our agenda, and then allowing them to go compete on the playing surface, in the weight room, and then also being able to still be teenagers,” O’Neal told Texas Monthly.

Remaining in the Dallas area was a key part of O’Neal Jr.’s decision as well.

“Another important factor is SMU’s location,” he said. “Being in a major city like Dallas, which is currently thriving in both sports and business, offers me a unique opportunity to build my brand and name within the basketball community. It is the perfect place to grow, not only as a player but as a person looking to make a broader impact.”

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