JUST IN: NBA Legend Shaquille O’Neal with a teary eyes gets emotional during his apology to Angel Reese Amidst the frenzy… see more

The retired NBA star opened up to PEOPLE about his close bond with the former LSU player — and revealed the first thing he told her after she was selected by the Chicago Sky as the seventh pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft on Monday night.

“I am described as Angel’s understandable ear,” O’Neal tells PEOPLE exclusively of Reese. “I know things that she went through, I know what she’s going through, I know what’s about to happen to her and I could give her advice.”

The basketball legend, who was the number one pick in the 1992 NBA Draft before going on to play for six NBA teams over his 19-year career, says the rookie can find comfort in his advice due to his experience in the league.

O’Neal says when they “speak about greatness,” he’s “seen it” and “heard it.” Therefore, he says, “you can take my word for it.” In the last year, he has become a mentor to Reese, who rose to fame during LSU’s championship run in the 2023 March Madness tournament.

And that special bond is not only because O’Neal is a former LSU Tiger himself, before he was drafted by the Orlando Magic in 1992, he says. “She’s the same age as my children, so I only want the best for her,” the retired NBA star and father of six tells PEOPLE.

And when you have daughters, you know how to use that calm voice,” he adds. So after Reese was selected in the WNBA Draft, O’Neal says, “the first thing I told her is I was proud of her.”

As a self-described “leader,” O’Neal says he tries to never “micromanage people.” He says he’s careful with his word choices and avoids demands — rather, he says, “I’m happy for you. I’m proud of you. If you need anything, you call me.”