Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, Father of Kobe Bryant, Dies at 69

Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, former NBA player and father of the late basketball legend Kobe Bryant, has passed away at the age of 69. The news was announced by his alma mater, La Salle University, on Tuesday.

Bryant, who played eight seasons in the NBA with three different teams, recently suffered a massive stroke, according to reports. La Salle coach Fran Dunphy expressed his condolences, stating, “We are saddened to announce the passing of La Salle basketball great Joe Bryant. Joe played for the Explorers from 1973-75 and was a member of our coaching staff from 1993-96. He was a beloved member of the Explorer family and will be dearly missed.”

The Bryant family has faced tragedy before, with Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others tragically losing their lives in a helicopter crash in January 2020. Joe Bryant, who was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in 1975 and played for the Philadelphia 76ers, San Diego Clippers, and Houston Rockets, had a successful NBA career before transitioning to coaching.

After his NBA career, Joe Bryant coached teams in Italy, Japan, and Thailand, as well as the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks. His time coaching in Italy was particularly influential on Kobe Bryant, helping shape his love for basketball and Italian language skills. The family eventually moved back to the Philadelphia area, where Kobe Bryant became a high school star before being drafted into the NBA.

Joe Bryant’s impact on the basketball world, both as a player and a coach, will be remembered by many. His legacy lives on through his son Kobe and the countless players he mentored throughout his coaching career.