Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, the father of the late Basketball Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, has died, according to his alma mater, La Salle University
PHILADELPHIA — Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, the father of the late Basketball Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, has died, his alma mater announced Tuesday.
Bryant, who spent eight seasons in the NBA with three different franchises, was 69. The Philadelphia Inquirer, citing La Salle coach Fran Dunphy, reported that Joe Bryant recently had a massive stroke.
“We are saddened to announce the passing of La Salle basketball great Joe Bryant,” the school said in a news release. “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.”
Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others died in a helicopter crash in January 2020 in Calabasas, California, as the group was making its way to a basketball tournament.
Joe Bryant was the No. 14 pick by Golden State in the 1975 draft, and the Warriors wound up selling his rights to Philadelphia before the start of his rookie season. He played four years for the 76ers, three for the San Diego Clippers and one for the Houston Rockets, averaging 8.7 points in 606 games.
From there, he embarked on an international career, with stops in France and Italy. The years in Italy shaped Kobe Bryant; it was there that he started to truly develop a love for basketball as well as becoming fluent in Italian. The family moved back to the Philadelphia area around the time that Kobe Bryant was 13, he became a high school star and was drafted four years later.
Joe Bryant had a number of coaching stints, including for teams in Italy, Japan and Thailand, as well as stints with the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks — meaning he was coaching in the same city as his son was playing for a number of years.
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Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, the father of basketball legend Kobe Bryant, has passed away at the age of 69. The news of his death has sent shockwaves through the basketball community and beyond, as he was not only a talented player in his own right but also a beloved father and mentor to his son Kobe.
Joe Bryant was born on October 19, 1954, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a standout basketball player at John Bartram High School before going on to play college basketball at La Salle University. After a successful college career, Joe was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the 1975 NBA Draft.
During his time in the NBA, Joe Bryant played for several teams, including the Philadelphia 76ers, San Diego Clippers, and Houston Rockets. He was known for his scoring ability and flashy style of play, earning him the nickname “Jellybean.” Joe’s career in the NBA may not have been as illustrious as his son Kobe’s, but he made a lasting impact on the game and inspired many young players along the way.
However, Joe Bryant’s greatest legacy may be as a father and mentor to his son Kobe. He instilled in Kobe a love for the game of basketball from a young age and helped shape him into the player and person he would become. Kobe often spoke about how much his father’s guidance and support meant to him throughout his career.
In a statement released by the Bryant family, they expressed their deep sorrow at Joe’s passing and thanked everyone for their support during this difficult time. They also asked for privacy as they grieve the loss of their beloved father and husband.
The basketball world has also been quick to pay tribute to Joe Bryant, with many former teammates and opponents sharing their memories of him on social media. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released a statement saying, “Joe Bryant was a true pioneer of the game and a beloved figure in the basketball community. Our thoughts are with the Bryant family during this difficult time.”
Joe “Jellybean” Bryant will be remembered not only for his contributions to the game of basketball but also for the love and support he gave to his family. His legacy will live on through his son Kobe and all those he inspired along the way. Rest in peace, Joe Bryant.
