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Jermaine O'Neal Coached Dynamic Prep to City of Palms Classic Signature Series Championship

Lawrence Andrew Fernandezby:Lawrence Fernandez•12/23/24•

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Jermaine O'Neal
© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Jermaine O’Neal imparts the wisdom he acquired from playing 18 NBA seasons with his Dynamic Prep High School players. His guidance has delivered results, including winning the City of Palms Classic Signature Series championship over Bullis on Dec. 22.

From a 31-27 halftime lead, Dynamic Prep dominated the second half to complete an 87-65 victory. It was a team effort, as four of O’Neal’s players scored in double digits. Leroy Kelly IV had 19 points, while Jacobe Coleman contributed 15. Jaden Toombs and Jermaine O’Neal Jr. had 18 points each.

That victory improved Dynamic Prep’s record to 16-3, making them the fifth-best team in the On3 Texas Composite Rankings. Except for their loss against Columbus, Florida’s top-ranked team, their two defeats were by one possession. Dynamic Prep lost to Allen by three points (58-55) and William J. Brennan by two (88-86). Brennan and Allen are the top two Texas Composite Team Rankings teams.

In addition to being head coach, the older O’Neal founded Dynamic Prep in 2022. He’s the perfect person to mentor young basketball phenoms because he entered the NBA straight out of high school. After a highly touted career at South Carolina’s Eau Claire High School, the Portland Trail Blazers selected him 17th overall in the 1996 NBA Draft.

By the time he retired in 2014, Jermaine O’Neal was a six-time NBA All-Star, representing the Indiana Pacers. He also has one All-NBA Second Team and two All-NBA Third Team selections. O’Neal also holds the Pacers franchise records for most blocks in a game (10) and a season (228).

While drafted in the same class as Allen Iverson, Ray Allen, Kobe Bryant, and Steve Nash, O’Neal became a marquee player after winning the 2002 Most Improved Player Award. The forward-center finished his career with averages of 13.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game.

Aside from imparting basketball knowledge, the 46-year-old mentor prepares his wards for the next level of competition. Kelly has committed to playing ball for Oral Roberts University, while Toombs and O’Neal Jr. will attend Southern Methodist University.