Agents are usually the connecting link between a franchise and the athlete. It’s almost revolutionary when the pros crosses over to that side. Jermaine O’Neal is treading where very few pros have to give a budding athletes the platform they deserve. The 6x NBA All-Star is making his biggest and best entrepreneurial move yet with Valor Sports Agency, a player representation agency run by the retired NBA star himself. And he’s got a robust client list too.

The former Pacers star announced the launch of Valor on social media via ‘Boardroom.’ He’s so far signed major pro and collegiate players including Cavaliers’ rookie, Jaylon Tyson; Brooklyn Nets’ G-League signee, Jaylen Martin; Kansas’ basketball and football standout recruit, Jaden Nickens; and Longhorns volleyball stars, Logan Eggleston and Asija O’Neal.

The last one is of course special. Asija is the 25-year-old daughter of Jermaine and Mesha O’Neal. She grew up playing basketball but found her calling in volleyball around the time she got surgery for a heart condition. She led the Texas Longhorns volleyball team to the 2022 NCAA championship and successfully defended the title in 2023.

Asija was drafted first overall in the first Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF) draft in December 2023 and initially signed with Columbus Fury. However, in July, she signed LOVB, Austin’s pro volleyball team. Jermaine and Valor Sports may have helped her with the deal since they’ve been hyping it for a while.

Jermaine is not exactly new to this space. He collaborated with Tracy McGrady in 2020 to establish their sports agency, Seven1. It’s not that they broke up the business. Jermaine is still associated with Seven1 and overlapping clientele indicates Valor and Seven1 are still affiliated with O’Neal.

When he launched VSA, he expressed how much this agency means to him. “Valor Sports Agency is the true realization of my long-standing passion for sports and sports management, combined with a deep commitment to providing top-tier representation and services to athletes. Our mission at Valor is to empower athletes to achieve their full potential, both on and off the field, through personalized and strategic guidance tailored to each individual’s unique journey.”

Seven1 still boasts Asija as one of its athletes. Jermaine and Asija’s own extensive reach is seemingly growing Valor Sports. In a competitive space, Jermaine has already built a jawdropping portfolio.

Jermaine O’Neal is already in demand

It’s rare but not new for athletes to have their own sports agencies in a global market worth $5 billion. Though rarely are they owners in the basketball side. LeBron James is closely affiliated with the management of Klutch Sports under his longtime agent, Rich Paul. Former NBA pro, Ramon Sessions founded On Time Agency, but it’s better known by its star agent and former WNBA vet, Ticha Penicheiro.

Most often these agencies are hailed for their player-driven business model. That’s why Reggie Miller commented, “BALLER” under Jermaine’s post and the NBA legend, Rik Smits even asked, “You take on any old players?” Udonis Haslem declared, “This big time bra,” and Stephen Jackson looked prophetic commenting, “Always been a leader.” Chris Webber and PJ Tucker summed up everyone’s reactions in fire emojis.

Other than some prospective clients walking up to Valor, this O’Neal father and daughter have a client list bursting with talent. With Asija came Logan Eggleston, also a standout volleyball star of the Longhorns team. She and Asija are teammates once more after Valor announced Eggleston signed with LOVB.

Longhorns champ, Madisen Skinner has an NIL representation deal with Valor. Sacramento Kings’ G-League recruit, Drew Timme features both on the Seven1 and Valor Sports rosters.