Shaquille O'Neal "checks in on" Kobe Bryant's mom once a month and sends flowers because he just wants to "make her smile"

Shaquille - who played alongside Kobe for the Los Angeles Lakers - told PEOPLE: "I always check in on Kobe's mom. I check in on his mom once a month, make sure she's okay ...

[Kobe] used to check in on my mom and dad ... [Kobe's family] live in Vegas. I'm in Vegas. I'm close with his sisters. I just call to check on them ...

"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.

"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 revealed he also sends her flowers and added: "I just try to make her smile. I just try to do whatever I can, because I know it's tough."

Kobe died along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna when the helicopter they were travelling crashed in Calabasas, California in January 2020. Seven others were also killed in the accident.

In 2022, Shaquille admitted he regrets not keeping in touch with Kobe more regularly prior to his death.

He told People: "[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].

"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.' "