Gina Heslop
Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, the father of the late basketball legend Kobe Bryant, passed away at the age of 69. Joe was a former NBA player and a beloved member of the basketball community. La Salle University, where Joe played and coached, expressed their sorrow, stating that he was a cherished member of their family and would be greatly missed.
The cause of Joe Bryant’s death has not been officially disclosed. However, Fran Dunphy, the head coach of La Salle, revealed that Joe had recently suffered a severe stroke.
After Kobe Bryant’s tragic death in a helicopter crash over four years ago, Joe kept a low profile and made few public appearances. In 2010, Kobe told ESPN that his father had a great basketball mind and taught him how to view, prepare for, and play the game from an early age.
In January 2020, Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others died in a helicopter crash while traveling to a basketball event in Calabasas, California. Joe and his wife, Pam, attended the memorial service for Kobe and Gianna, despite having had a strained relationship with Kobe at times.
Vanessa Bryant, Kobe’s widow, shared her condolences on Instagram, expressing sorrow over Joe Bryant’s passing. She mentioned that although they had spent limited time together, Joe was always sweet and nice, and Kobe loved him very much.
Joe Bryant was a standout player at La Salle University, averaging 20.8 points per game over two seasons. He went on to play professionally both in the United States and abroad.
He was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the 1975 NBA Draft but was later acquired by the Philadelphia 76ers. Joe played for the 76ers, Clippers, and Rockets over eight NBA seasons, averaging 8.7 points and 4.0 rebounds per game.
After his playing career, Joe transitioned to coaching. He coached at various levels, including professional and collegiate teams in the United States, Japan, and Thailand. He also served as the head coach of the WNBA’s
