LAS VEGAS — More than five years after the tragic death of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi, basketball icon Shaquille O’Neal has opened up in a deeply personal interview about the lengths he goes to stay close to Kobe’s grieving family. In candid remarks made with People magazine, Shaq revealed that he checks in on Kobe’s mother Pamela Bryant once a month, calls Kobe’s older sisters, and even sends flowers — all in an effort to provide some comfort amid ongoing loss.
“I always check in on Kobe’s mom. I check in on his mom once a month, make sure she’s okay,” Shaq said, visibly emotional. He noted that while he lives in Las Vegas — the same city as Pamela and Kobe’s sisters Sharia and Shaya — companionship isn’t about proximity so much as consistency. “I just call to check on them,” he shared. Shaq admitted he understands some of the pain: “Their mom has been through a lot in a couple of years, and that takes a toll … I kind of know what it feels like with the passing of her son, but I don’t know what it feels like to lose a son and a husband.” People.com+2BET+2
But Shaq didn’t stop at simple phone calls. According to the interview, he sends flowers regularly — small gestures meant to make Pamela Bryant smile during moments when grief might feel overwhelming. And these gestures have been going on despite Shaq’s own busy life. “I just try to make her smile. I just try to do whatever I can because I know it’s tough,” he told People. People.com+1
This outreach has taken on even deeper meaning in recent times. In July 2024, Kobe’s father Joe “Jellybean” Bryant passed away, adding another layer of tragedy to the Bryant family’s losses. Shaq acknowledged this, stating that the dual loss of son and husband creates a different pain, and that sustaining contact with Pamela and her daughters becomes all the more important. People.com+2mensjournal.com+2
For Shaq, the relationship with Kobe’s family is more than public appearances or social media mentions — it’s a matter of conscience. He expressed regret over not having reached out enough before Kobe’s death in January 2020, saying they both often assumed there would be more time. “You put off [getting in touch]… I’ll never get to see Kobe again, in real life, forever. And I just should have called,” he reflected in past interviews. mensjournal.com+2basketballnetwork.net+2
As the world continues to remember Kobe Bryant’s legacy on anniversaries and special dates like “8/24 Day”, Shaq’s monthly check-ins — phone calls, flowers, emotional candor — stand out as a powerful reminder: even legends need support, and sometimes the greatest tribute is simply keeping others from feeling alone.
Leave a Reply