Joe 'Jellybean' Bryant, Father of NBA Legend Kobe Bryant, Dead at 69
Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, former NBA player and father of late Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, has died at 69.
The Philadelphia Inquirer was the first to report the news of Bryant's death. According to La Salle University head basketball coach Fran Dunphy, Bryant had been grappling with health issues and suffered a massive stroke on Tuesday.
La Salle University announced Bryant's passing on X: "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."
Bryant was selected by the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the 1975 NBA Draft but made his mark with the Philadelphia 76ers, where he played for four seasons. He also made appearances on the San Diego Clippers and Houston Rockets.
After retiring from playing, Bryant transitioned into coaching, sharing his expertise with various teams, including La Salle University, and a one-year term as head coach for the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks.
His death comes four years after the tragic loss of his son and granddaughter, Gianna, who died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, in January 2020, along with nine others.
