United Kingdom, Sept. 12 -- Shaquille O'Neal "checks in on" Kobe Bryant's mom once a month and sends flowers because he just wants to "make her smile".

The 53-year-old basketball legend has revealed Pamela is still dealing with her son's tragic death in a helicopter crash five years ago and she lost her husband Joe Bryant last year so he tries to do everything he can to "make sure she's okay".

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 ...