“Even though I was a great player, I’m not my kids’ favorite player. For Kobe to take the time to text my babies, check upon them. It was special.” That line from Shaquille O’Neal tells you that despite any on-court friction during their Los Angeles Lakers days, Shaq and Kobe Bryant shared something much deeper. Twenty-five years after their first championship together, the two Lakers legends remain intertwined—not just by rings, but by family ties that transcended fame.
Anyone who follows Shareef O’Neal’s path knows the profound respect he holds for Kobe. One of the most powerful displays of that came back in 2020, when he chose to honor Kobe and Gianna Bryant in a way that would stay with him forever, through ink. In 2020, he added 5 deeply personal tattoos: Gianna’s #2 jersey from her Mamba Academy days, a striking image of Kobe raising a basketball, and both of his iconic Lakers numbers, 8 and 24. He even inked ‘mamba mentality’—a fitting nod to Kobe’s never-satisfied drive.
Fast forward to now, and Shareef has once again worn his heart on his sleeve—literally. On Instagram, the 25-year-old unveiled a delicate pendant depicting Kobe and Gianna—an understated yet poignant tribute. The shot went beyond sentiment, revealing the scar from his open-heart surgery. A single heart emoji was all he needed to express the weight of that moment.
CHICAGO,IL – MAY 15: G League Prospect, Shareef O’Neal poses for a portrait during the 2022 G League Elite Camp on May 15, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Randy Belice/NBAE via Getty Images)
The emotional gravity of his gesture makes perfect sense when you consider how close he was to Kobe. What’s even more heartbreaking is that on the very morning of Kobe’s tragic passing in 2020, the basketball legend had reached out to him.
In a screenshot shared by Shareef, Kobe’s message at 8:19 a.m. simply read, “You good fam?” To that, Shareef tweeted, “Literally this morning you reached out to me. I love you forever unc, I love you. … You’ve really been there for me all 20 years of my life … Been there for me since I was born … Love you. He didn’t forget Gigi either, adding, “GIGI love you cousin.” And it’s not as if it was just one-sided admiration. As it turns out, Black Mamba cared for Shareef just as much.
Kobe Bryant was in routine touch with Shareef O’Neal after the 25-year-old’s open heart surgery
If you’ve followed the Lakers since the early 2000s, chances are you remember the electrifying duo of Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant dominating the hardwood. But did you know that the same year they secured their first championship together, a young Shareef O’Neal was born into that very legacy? From the start, he’s been a part of the Lakers’ story—more than just a familiar last name in the stands. No wonder that in 2022, Shareef took a shot at continuing that legacy in his own way, suiting up for the Lakers in the Las Vegas Summer League.
While his time on the court was brief—just 11.5 minutes spread across four games—he made his presence felt with 4.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. Still, the dream run didn’t last long, and just like that, his chapter with the Purple and Gold came to a close. Yet, Shareef didn’t walk away empty-handed.
Getting to wear the same jersey as his father and Kobe meant more than stats or minutes—it was personal. In fact, his connection with Kobe went far deeper than basketball. The late Lakers icon had a profound impact on Shareef’s life, especially during some of his lowest moments. In a heartfelt interview with Summer League reporter Emily Austin, Shareef revealed just how much Kobe meant to him.
“When I was young, he always told me ‘Whatever you want to do, don’t let anybody tell you you can’t do it.’ I’ve always thought about that. People probably heard that before, but this is different hearing it from someone like that. And, you know, he was one person who always checked in with me. Every single day after my surgery, he’d always message me, ‘How’re you doing today?’ He always looked out for me, made sure I was good. Anytime I needed to get in the gym, he’s like, ‘Oh, yeah, you can call me you, you know where I am.’ If he was busy, you know, he always looked out for sure, me and my siblings.”
Now, it’s only poetic that the Kobe Bryant pendant rests over the very same scar from the open heart surgery.
The post Baring Surgery Scar, Shaquille O’Neal’s Son Shareef Pays Tribute to Kobe Bryant & Gigi appeared first on EssentiallySports.