PHOTOSShaquille O’Neal’s Sister Ayesha Harrison-Jex Dies From Cancer At Age 40
Oct. 25 2019, Published 7:05 p.m. ET
Shaquille O’Neal’s sister Ayesha Harrison-Jex passed away on October 24 in Orlando, Florida, three years after being diagnosed with cancer. She was 40 years old. The NBA star immediately traveled home to Florida to be with his loved ones during the difficult time. His cohosts of the sports analysis program Inside the NBA gave a heartfelt tribute to Shaq, 47, on air.
Shaq’s cohost Ernie Johnson shared the heartbreaking news during the October 24 episode of TNT’s Inside the NBA. “We have to tell you why you’re not seeing Shaquille O’Neal here on the set tonight,” Ernie, 63, began. “Basically the ‘Big Fella,’ who I’ve described as ‘the biggest kid in the world,’ his heart is breaking tonight. He said his world revolves around his brother and two sisters. And he lost one of his sisters this morning, far too early.”
He continued, “I’m trying to put into words the way Shaquille has reacted to this, and he’s struggling. And when he struggles, we struggle with him. Because he’s one of our brothers and we feel for him tonight.”
Ayesha graduated with a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Florida A&M University. She is mother to a son, Bryce.
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Charles Barkley also gave his condolences to Shaq’s mother, Lucille. “I want to just give a special shout-out to his mom, Miss Lucille, who was best friends with my mom,” he said. “When my mom passed away, she came and spent her last few days with my mom. So I just want to give Miss Lucille a hug and tell her I love her. What she did for my mom at the end … I can never thank them enough, and I feel for her and Shaquille. And the rest of the family also.”
Kenny Smith chimed in, and reflected on how their broadcast team felt like a big family.“We always see his kids, his family always around. One of the most difficult things about being close to someone and working with them this many years — you get to know them and their family and their friends, so you hurt so much more just as much as you have the pain, just as much as you have the joy…That’s part of being a family, experiencing the joy and the pain.”
The Inside the NBA show’s Twitter posted a heartfelt tribute to Ayesha. Shaq retweeted it and replied, “Thanks for the condolences and the love. If I had older brothers, it would be you 3. Love y’all and love you more Candice Parker," he said in response to the well-wishes from his TNT colleagues.
Ayesha will be laid to rest in a military cemetery and will be buried next to the former NBA star’s stepfather, Sgt. Phillip Harrison, who passed away in 2013.
