Shaquille O’Neal’s Son Shareef Shares Final Message From ‘Unc’ Kobe Bryant Sent Hours Before Fatal Crash
Shareef O’Neal has revealed the final message sent to him by his “uncle” Kobe Bryant just hours before his tragic death in a helicopter crash that claimed the lives of nine people, E! News reported.
The son of Shaquille O’Neal took to his Instagram on Sunday to share a screenshot of a direct message from Bryant. The NBA star reached out following the 20-year-old’s announcement that he would be transferring from the UCLA Bruins men’s basketball team.
“You good fam?” read Bryant’s message, which was sent at 8:19 a.m., local time Sunday.
Shareef’s response was sent about three hours later, though it is unlikely that Kobe had seen the messages.
He also included several photos of him and Bryant over the years, including one set that saw him mimicking an iconic snap of the Lakers star laying on the court with his head propped up on a basketball.
In the caption of his post, Shareef expressed his devastation over the loss of his uncle, coach and mentor.
“I wish I didn’t sleep in so I could’ve talked to you…I can’t even think straight right now,” he wrote.
“I won’t let you down…you always counted on me and lifted me up. Love you unc,” he concluded the message, along with two red heart emoji.
He later shared another post to Instagram that included more screenshots of his messages with Bryant dating back to when Shareef underwent heart surgery in December 2018.
“I was so defeated sittin in that hospital everyday and i thought my basketball life was over…you brought a smile to my face…thank you..love you,” he wrote in the upload.
Shareef also took to Twitter to honor his “cousin” Gigi — Kobe’s 13-year-old daughter who also died in the crash.
Kobe and Gianna Bryant were two of nine victims of a fatal helicopter crash in Calabasas, California Sunday morning. They were on their way to Bryant’s Mamba Academy in Thousands Oaks when the accident occurred.
As The Inquisitr previously reported, Shaquille O’Neal took to social media to react to the death of his friend and former teammate. The pair played together on the L.A. Lakers from 1996 to 2004. Though they initially feuded during their playing time together, the relationship eventually became a friendship based on respect and admiration for one another.
Kobe was so much more than an athlete, he was a family man. That was what we had most in common. I would hug his children like they were my own and he would embrace my kids like they were his. His baby girl Gigi was born on the same day as my youngest daughter Me’Arah. pic.twitter.com/BHBPN5Wq8V
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) January 26, 2020
Many others took to social media to react to the deaths of Kobe and Gianna, including Jennifer Lopez, Kanye West and President Trump. The basketball legend was also honored with a special tribute by Alicia Keys and Boyz II Men at Sunday night’s 62nd annual Grammy Awards.
