Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, the father of NBA superstar Kobe Bryant and a former NBA player himself, has passed away at the age of 69. La Salle University, where he both played and later served as a coach, expressed that Bryant “was a cherished member of the Explorer family and will be profoundly missed.” Fran Dunphy, the head coach at La Salle, mentioned that Bryant had recently endured a significant stroke.
Following the tragic death of Kobe Bryant in a helicopter accident in January 2020, Joe largely withdrew from the public spotlight. Kobe had previously praised his father’s extensive basketball knowledge, stating that Joe taught him from an early age “how to view the game, how to prepare for the game, and how to execute.”
Joe Bryant distinguished himself as a player at La Salle University, where he averaged 20.8 points per game, and was selected by the Golden State Warriors in the 1975 NBA Draft. He also played for the Philadelphia 76ers and other NBA franchises, with the 76ers honoring him as “a local basketball icon.”
Doug Young, a former teammate of Kobe, recalled Joe as a “role model” who made the game enjoyable and inspired others to enhance their skills. Joe Bryant later took on coaching roles at various levels, including with the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks.
Arn Tellem, who was Kobe’s former agent, referred to him as “a true Philly hoops legend… whose warmth touched everyone he encountered.”
