Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant, a former NBA player and father of late basketball icon Kobe Bryant, has died at the age of 69. His passing comes four years after the tragic death of Kobe and his granddaughter Gianna. Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant, former NBA player and father of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, has passed away at the age of 69. The Philadelphia Inquirer first reported the news, revealing that Bryant had been suffering from health issues and succumbed to a massive stroke on Tuesday. Fran Dunphy, the head basketball coach at La Salle University, confirmed Bryant’s health struggles.
La Salle University, where Bryant played from 1973-75 and later served as a coach from 1993-96, announced his passing on social media. “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 university stated.
Bryant’s professional basketball career began when he was selected by the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the 1975 NBA Draft. However, he is best remembered for his time with the Philadelphia 76ers, where he played for four seasons. Bryant also had stints with the San Diego Clippers and the Houston Rockets before retiring from playing.
After hanging up his sneakers, Bryant transitioned into coaching. He shared his expertise with various teams, including a notable period at La Salle University and a one-year tenure as head coach of the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks.
Joe Bryant’s death is a poignant moment, occurring four years after the tragic helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, that claimed the lives of his son Kobe, granddaughter Gianna, and seven others in January 2020.
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