Bryant was traveling in a private helicopter with four others when it crashed in Calabasas around 10 a.m., resulting in the deaths of all on board.
As countless tributes poured in for the NBA great, O’Neal expressed his utter disbelief and sadness over the tragedy.
“There’s no words to express the pain I’m going through now with this tragic and sad moment of loosing my friend, my brother, my partner in winning championships, my dude and my homie,” O’Neal said in an Instagram caption, alongside a photo of him carrying Bryant.
“I love you brother and you will be missed. My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. IM SICK RIGHT NOW !”
O’Neal’s son, Shareef O’Neal, tweeted out his last text message exchange with Bryant and said the two had spoken on Sunday morning, just before the crash.
“Literally this morning you reached out to me…. ” Shareef said, adding “I love you forever unc. I love you.”
Bryant, known to his fans as “Black Mamba,” played for the Lakers for 20 years.
He won five NBA championships with the team ― and three with O’Neal specifically ― before retiring in 2016. The two had a loving, but contentious and competitive relationship with each other, trading barbs (before quickly making up) as recently as August 2019.
Countless friends, fans and former teammates also paid their respects to Bryant after news of his death spread.
“Beyond devastated… my big brother… I can’t, I just can’t believe it,” former teammate Pau Gasol tweeted.
Jim Boeheim, head coach of Syracuse’s men’s basketball team and former assistant coach for the United States men’s national basketball team, said that he was “so fortunate to have known [Bryant] and coached him with Team USA.”
“Kobe Bryant was not only one of the greatest basketball players ever, he was also the hardest working player I’ve ever been around,” Boeheim tweeted Sunday. “Our thoughts and our prayers are with his wife, Vanessa, and the Bryant family.”
Damn. RIP Mamba. May your memory be a blessing
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) January 26, 2020
Most people will remember Kobe as the magnificent athlete who inspired a whole generation of basketball players. But I will always remember him as a man who was much more than an athlete. pic.twitter.com/9EZuwk8wrV
— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) January 26, 2020
I’m stunned. Words can’t even come close to describing it. Just an incredibly sad and tragic day.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) January 26, 2020
The Orlando Magic is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Kobe Bryant. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Bryant family, the L.A. Lakers and the other victims of today’s tragedy and their families.
We will observe a moment of silence before tonight’s game.#RIPMAMBA pic.twitter.com/VwMzx4AKy5— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) January 26, 2020
Beyond devastated… my big brother… I can’t, I just can’t believe it
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) January 26, 2020
Kobe Bryant was not only one of the greatest basketball players ever, he was also the hardest working player I’ve ever been around. I was so fortunate to have known him and coached him with Team USA. Our thoughts and our prayers are with his wife, Vanessa, and the Bryant family.
— Jim Boeheim (@therealboeheim) January 26, 2020