O'Neal's mother confirms December heart surgery for UCLA forward

The mother of ailing UCLA redshirt freshman Shareef O'Neal - the eldest son of Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal - confirmed her son will undergo heart surgery in early December.

"I've been an emotional wreck, really. To be honest," Shaunie O'Neal told TMZ Sports. "I just really have. I still am. I'm just trying to push through."

Shareef announced in September that an issue with his heart was discovered by UCLA medical staff during a routine checkup, and as a result, he would sit out the Bruins' 2018-19 season.

"It's scary. It's scary no matter what," Shaunie added. "There's nothing anybody can say, do, tell me - it's scary. And, I'm going to be feeling that way until this is over."