Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, the patriarch of the renowned Bryant basketball dynasty and the father of the late Basketball Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, has passed away, as announced by his alma mater on Tuesday. Bryant, who left an indelible mark in the NBA with eight illustrious seasons spanning three franchises, has reached the age of 69. The Philadelphia Inquirer, citing La Salle coach Fran Dunphy, revealed that Joe Bryant had recently suffered a devastating stroke.
"We mourn the loss of the La Salle basketball icon, Joe Bryant," the school declared in a heartfelt news release. "He graced our court from 1973 to 1975 and later returned as a cherished coach from 1993 to 1996. He was a beloved member of the Explorer family, and his absence will be deeply felt."
Tragically, Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others perished in a helicopter crash in January 2020 in Calabasas, California, while on their way to a basketball tournament. Despite a sometimes strained relationship, Joe and Pam Bryant, who were married for nearly half a century, were front and center during the memorial service held in Los Angeles a month after Kobe and Gianna's untimely demise.
Vanessa Bryant, Kobe's widow, shared her heartfelt condolences on Instagram. "My heartfelt sympathies upon hearing the news of my father-in-law's passing," she wrote. "We wished things could have been different. Though our time together was brief, he was always kind and endearing. Kobe cherished him deeply."
Drafted 14th overall by the Golden State Warriors in 1975, Joe Bryant's rights were eventually traded to the Philadelphia 76ers before his rookie season. He starred for the 76ers for four years, then played three seasons with the San Diego Clippers and a final year with the Houston Rockets, averaging 8.7 points in 606 games. From there, he embarked on a global journey, playing in France and Italy, where he not only honed his skills but also fostered a profound love for the game and became fluent in Italian. The Bryant family returned to the Philadelphia area when Kobe was 13, where he soon emerged as a high school sensation and was drafted four years later.
"I'm profoundly saddened by the passing of Joe 'Jellybean' Bryant," said Detroit Pistons vice chairman and Kobe's former agent, Arn Tellem. "As a true Philadelphia hoops legend, his loss is felt deeply in the basketball community. Our friendship paved the way for me to represent Kobe when he entered the NBA, a memory I cherish forever. Joe was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, whose warmth and kindness touched every life he encountered." Joe Bryant's coaching journey spanned across Italy, Japan, Thailand, and even the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks, allowing him to coach in the same city as his son for several years.
