Kobe Bryant checked in on Shaq’s son Shareef morning of helicopter crash

January 26, 2020

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Kobe Bryant Shareef O'Neal

Kobe Bryant died tragically in a helicopter crash on Sunday morning, and it appears one of the last people he reached out to was Shareef O’Neal.

O’Neal, who is the son of Shaquille O’Neal, announced earlier this week that he is transferring from UCLA. After the news broke on Sunday that Bryant died, Shareef shared a screenshot of a direct message Kobe sent him that morning. O’Neal referred to Bryant as “unc,” indicating the two had a close relationship. Bryant had asked Shareef how he was doing.

Literally this morning you reached out to me …. I love you forever unc I love you pic.twitter.com/3oVgvKKUkm

— Shareef O’Neal (@SSJreef) January 26, 2020

Shaq and Kobe won three straight championships together with the Los Angeles Lakers. The two openly butted heads during their time as teammates, but the fact that Kobe reached out to Shareef to see how he was doing speaks to the way Kobe’s and Shaq’s relationship progressed.

Bryant’s daughter was also killed in the helicopter crash.

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Other victims of the helicopter crash:
– John Altobelli, junior college baseball coach, also died in helicopter crash
– Christina Mauser, girls’ basketball coach, among the helicopter crash victims

Tributes to Kobe:
– Dallas Mavericks retire Kobe Bryant’s No. 24 jersey
– Video: Raptors, Spurs start game with amazing tribute to Kobe Bryant
– Shaq posts heartfelt tribute to Kobe Bryant
– Michael Jordan releases statement on death of ‘little brother’ Kobe Bryant
– Video: Doc Rivers breaks down crying talking about Kobe Bryant
– Phil Jackson calls Kobe Bryant ‘a chosen one’ in statement on his death
– NBA commissioner Adam Silver issues statement on death of Kobe Bryant
– Video: Dwyane Wade posts emotional message reacting to Kobe Bryant’s death
– Kendrick Perkins extends olive branch to Kevin Durant after Kobe Bryant’s death
– Video: Emotional Mike Breen sums up NBA world’s emotions about Kobe Bryant’s death
– Trae Young’s huge game was full of Kobe Bryant-related statistical coincidences

More coverage:
– Media errors, rumors, poor judgment run rampant in reporting of Kobe Bryant news
– Kobe Bryant checked in on Shaq’s son Shareef morning of helicopter crash
– No, Rick Fox did not die in helicopter crash that killed Kobe, Gianna Bryant
– Lakers fans start memorial to Kobe Bryant outside Staples Center
– Kobe Bryant’s last tweet was congratulating LeBron James on passing him
– Sports world stunned over Kobe Bryant news
– Kobe Bryant dies in helicopter crash – dead at 41