On what would have been Kobe Bryant’s 47th birthday, Shaquille O’Neal chose to honor his late teammate and friend with a gesture that transcended basketball. In a deeply personal tribute, Shaq restored the Bryant family’s old 1996 Toyota Land Cruiser, once driven by Kobe during his high school days, and gifted it to Kobe’s mother, Pam Bryant.
The Land Cruiser, long parked in front of Pam Bryant’s home and showing signs of wear, caught Shaq’s attention during a visit. Upon learning it had belonged to Kobe, Shaq enlisted the help of Effortless Motors, a Riverside-based restoration shop known for its high-end custom work. The result was a fully refurbished SUV, brought back to life with OEM parts and meticulous detailing.
Shaq and Kobe’s relationship was famously complex. Their time together on the Lakers was marked by championship glory and public friction. But in the years following their careers, the two reconciled, forming a genuine friendship built on mutual respect. Shaq has since spoken openly about his regret over missed opportunities to connect with Kobe before his tragic passing in 2020.
“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,” Shaq once said.
This gift to Pam Bryant is part of Shaq’s ongoing effort to honor Kobe’s memory, not just through words, but through meaningful action.
Shaq’s friend Anthony Hall shared that the NBA legend frequently checks in on Pam Bryant, offering support and kindness. “He loves his mom, loves that family,” Hall said, adding that Shaq personally requested the restoration to give Pam something tangible to remember her son by.
Effortless Motors documented the transformation on social media, showcasing before-and-after footage of the SUV and expressing gratitude for being part of such a meaningful project.
“At Effortless Motors, it’s all about passion, legacy, and excellence,” the company wrote in its tribute post.
