Joe “Jellybean” Bryant shared a laugh with his son Kobe during a pickup basketball game at the Kobe Bryant Basketball Academy on July 5, 2007. Joe Bryant passed away this month due to a massive stroke.
Joe Bryant, known as the father of basketball legend Kobe Bryant and a star player himself at Bartram High School, La Salle, and over eight NBA seasons, died on Monday. He was 69 years old.
Fran Dunphy, head coach at La Salle, confirmed on Tuesday that Bryant had recently suffered a massive stroke. This tragedy occurred four and a half years after the deaths of his son Kobe and granddaughter Gianna, along with seven others, in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020.
Standing at 6-foot-9 with the nickname “Jellybean” due to his love for candy, Bryant was known for his versatile skills which paved the way for players like Magic Johnson and LeBron James. He was named Public League Player of the Year in 1972, and averaged over 20 points and 11 rebounds during two seasons at La Salle.
Bryant was a first-round draft pick by the Golden State Warriors in 1975, and his rights were sold to the Philadelphia 76ers shortly thereafter. He spent four seasons with the 76ers, contributing as a bench player for the team that reached the NBA Finals in the 1976-77 season.
Following the 1982-83 season with the Houston Rockets, Bryant experienced more personal success playing professionally in Europe, particularly in Italy, before moving back to the Philadelphia area and settling in Wynnewood.
Joe Bryant maintained a close relationship with his son Kobe during his childhood and high school career at Lower Merion. However, their relationship became strained as Kobe joined the Los Angeles Lakers and sought more independence. Joe made no public comments regarding Kobe’s death.