Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, a former NBA player and the father of Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, passed away at the age of 69.
There has been no official cause of death announced as of Tuesday morning. Bryant “was a beloved member of the Explorer family and will be dearly missed,” according to a statement released by La Salle University, where he played and later served as coach.
The Philadelphia Inquirer was informed by Fran Dunphy, the head coach of La Salle and a seasoned basketball coach in the Philadelphia region, that Bryant had recently experienced a serious stroke.
Joe Bryant has not made many public appearances since the terrible death of Kobe Bryant in a helicopter crash more than four years ago. Kobe said in an ESPN interview in 2010 that Joe had taught him “from an early age how to view the game, how to prepare for the game and how to execute.” Kobe acknowledged his father’s basketball expertise.
While en route to a basketball tournament in Calabasas, California, in January 2020, Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven other people perished in a helicopter crash. Though they occasionally had a tense relationship with Kobe, Joe and Pam Bryant, who had been married for over fifty years, attended the memorial service in Los Angeles a month after the tragedy.
On Instagram, Kobe’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, posted a message of sympathy, writing, “We are sorry to learn of my father-in-law’s loss. We had hoped for a different outcome. Despite our limited time together, he was consistently kind and pleasant to be around. Kobe cherished him dearly.
During his two seasons at La Salle University, Joe Bryant averaged 20.8 points per game, making him a top player. He continued to perform professionally both domestically and overseas. In the first round of the 1975 NBA Draft, he was selected by the Golden State Warriors; however, the Philadelphia 76ers eventually acquired him.
“Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant was a local basketball icon, whose legacy on the court transcended his journey across Bartram High School, La Salle University, and his first four NBA seasons with the 76ers from 1975-79,” the 76ers said in a statement recognizing his impact. We send our sympathies to the Bryant family.
“Joe was our JV coach at Lower Merion and I could not have asked for a more positive mentor, teacher, and role model,” said Doug Young, a former teammate of Kobe’s. He believed in us, made basketball fun, and inspired all of us to improve. His contagious smile, his bear hugs, and the amazing bond he had with Kobe are memories I will always cherish. The Bryant family was the most adored and respected family in Lower Merion when we were kids, and Joe was the reason behind it.
Joe Bryant, who stands six feet nine, averaged 8.7 points and 4.0 rebounds in 606 NBA games while spending eight seasons with the Sixers, Clippers, and Rockets. He played for the Sixers in 1976–77, who were defeated by the Trail Blazers in the NBA Finals.
In 1992, Bryant started his coaching career after more than ten years of playing abroad in France and Italy. He worked as a professional and collegiate coach in the US, Japan, and Thailand. He also spent a portion of three seasons as the head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women’s National Basketball Association.
Former Kobe Bryant agent and vice chairman of the Pistons Arn Tellem voiced his sadness, saying, “Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant was a true Philly hoops legend.” I’ll always treasure the memories of being able to represent Kobe when he joined the NBA thanks to our friendship. Joe was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who made a lasting impression on everyone he encountered.