Iowa State Cyclones guard Jada Williams just announced out of nowhere that she will be parting ways with her team. Florida Gators sophomore Me’arah O’Neal showed her support.
On Wednesday, March 25, Williams took to her Instagram to reveal that she was leaving coach Bill Fennelly’s Cyclones after just one year there and entered her name into this year’s transfer portal.
The move surprised many, since Williams had just been with the Iowa-based program for just a year. They were just eliminated in the first round of this year’s national tournament. Williams running it back with the Cyclones next season to uncork a deep run was supposedly imminent. Nevertheless, she’s gotten support for her decision from many, including NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal‘s daughter.
Me’arah O’Neal dropped a comment on Williams’ post with an emoji to support her in her new endeavor.
“Yo World Deuce Go be Gr8 ❤️,” Me’Araha O’Neal commented with a red heart emoji.
Me’arah O’Neal is coming off her sophomore stint of collegiate basketball with the now-former coach Kelly Rae Finley’s Florida Gators. In the 2025-26 campaign, the Houston, Texas, native helped the Florida-based program finish with an overall record of 18-15 (5-11 SEC), and made it all the way to the second round of the 2026 SEC tournament. Unlike Williams and the Cyclones, O’Neal’s team was unable to make it to the Big Dance.
Jada Williams Thanks Iowa State Cyclones Program Upon Parting Ways
In a heartfelt message that Jada Williams shared to announce her departure from the Iowa State Cyclones, she expounded on how thankful she is that the program accepted and embraced her with open arms.
Williams thanked the coaching staff and her teammates, who were an integral part of her development as a player and as an individual. She then affirmed that she intends to finish her college career with a different team.
“Cyclone Nation, from the bottom of my heart, I want to say thank you for embracing me and allowing me to experience Hilton Magic!!! To my coaches, thank you for believing in me when I didn’t even believe in myself and for giving me another opportunity to hoop and helping me find my way back to loving the game! And to my teammates, thank you for welcoming me with open arms and saving my life,” Williams wrote.
“I would not be here today if it weren’t for you guys! Every single day, we showed up and loved on each other, and that was just what I needed. For my senior year, I will be pursuing my dreams elsewhere! Iowa State will always have a place in my heart, and I’ll never forget the Iowa State way,” she concluded.
Read More: Me’arah O’Neal Shares Two Emoji Note After Mom Shaunie’s Mother’s Day Love on Instagram
Also Read: Jada Williams Crowns Oklahoma Sooners Star As ‘Best Dressed’ Prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft
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