Shaquille O’Neal Checks on Kobe Bryant’s Mom Pam ‘Once a Month’: ‘I Just Try to Make Her Smile’ (Exclusive)

Shaquille O’Neal says he checks in with Kobe Bryant‘s mother Pamela monthly.

The 53-year-old retired basketball star, who won three championships with Bryant over eight seasons together on the Lakers, tells PEOPLE, “I always check in on Kobe’s mom. I check in on his mom once a month, make sure she’s okay.”

O’Neal says Bryant “used to check in on my mom and dad” before his death in January 2020, and he’s humbled to do the same for Bryant’s family. “They live in Vegas. I’m in Vegas. I’m close with his sisters. I just call to check on them,” he says of Sharia, 49, and Shaya, 48.

“Their mom has been through a lot in a couple of years, and that takes a toll, and sometimes you just need somebody to just call to check on you,” O’Neal explains. “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, so I’m sure she has a lot of pain that she’s dealing with,” he adds, referring to the death of Kobe’s father Joe Bryant in July 2024.

Aside from checking in with monthly phone calls, O’Neal also sends flowers to Pamela. “I just try to make her smile. I just try to do whatever I can, because I know it’s tough.”

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In 2022, O’Neal reflected on his relationship with Bryant in his PEOPLE cover story. Although the former teammates always maintained a deep love and respect for each other, O’Neal said he always assumed he had more time to spend with his friend. “[I thought], ‘We’re both going to get old. We’ll both be at the 50-year Lakers anniversary.'”

“Other things shouldn’t have been more important [than getting in touch], but little things [got in the way]. You put off [getting in touch],” he continued. “I’ll never get to see Kobe again, in real life, forever. And I just should have called. He should have called. We both should have called. But he’s working, I’m working, so it’s ‘I’ll see you when I see you.’ ”

Reflecting on that, O’Neal advised readers: “Call your mom. Call your brother. Call the homeboy you used to party with in college. Forever is a long time.”