PHILADELPHIA — Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, the father of the late Basketball Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, has passed away at the age of 69, as announced by his alma mater, La Salle University, on Tuesday. According to a report by the Philadelphia Inquirer and La Salle coach Fran Dunphy, Joe Bryant had recently suffered a massive stroke.
La Salle University expressed their condolences in a news release: “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.”
Joe Bryant spent eight seasons in the NBA, playing for three different franchises. He was selected as the 14th overall pick by Golden State in the 1975 draft, but his rights were sold to Philadelphia before his rookie season. He played for the Philadelphia 76ers for four years, the San Diego Clippers for three years, and the Houston Rockets for one year, averaging 8.7 points in 606 games.
Following his NBA career, Bryant played internationally in France and Italy, an experience that deeply influenced his son Kobe, who learned to love basketball and became fluent in Italian. The family returned to the Philadelphia area when Kobe was about 13, where he became a high school basketball star before being drafted into the NBA.
Vanessa Bryant, Kobe’s widow, shared her condolences on Instagram, expressing sorrow over Joe Bryant’s passing and recalling that although the times spent together were few, he was always sweet and nice. She noted that Kobe loved his father very much.
Detroit Pistons vice chairman Arn Tellem, who previously served as Kobe Bryant’s agent, also paid tribute, saying, “I’m deeply saddened by the passing of Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant and join the basketball community in mourning a true Philly hoops legend. Joe was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, whose warmth touched everyone he met.”
Joe Bryant’s coaching career included stints in Italy, Japan, and Thailand, as well as with the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks, allowing him to coach in the same city where Kobe played for many years.
Joe Bryant’s impact on basketball, both domestically and internationally, and his influence on his son Kobe’s legendary career, leaves a lasting legacy.