Joe "Jellybean" Bryant - a former NBA player and father of basketball legend Kobe Bryant - has died at the age of 69.
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La Salle University, where Bryant played college basketball and later coached, expressed their sorrow in a statement, remembering him as "a beloved member of the Explorer family" who "will be dearly missed".
The cause of his death has not yet been officially disclosed as of Tuesday morning.
Fran Dunphy, La Salle's head coach, revealed to the Philadelphia Inquirer that Bryant had recently suffered a severe stroke, per ESPN.
Kobe Bryant, who tragically died in a helicopter crash in 2020 at the age of 41, had often spoken highly of his father's influence on his basketball career.
In a 2010 interview with ESPN, he described Joe Bryant as "a great basketball mind" who instilled in him the fundamentals of the game from an early age.
Joe Bryant's basketball journey began at La Salle University, where he showcased his talent, averaging 20.8 points per game over two seasons with the Explorers. His skills caught the attention of NBA scouts, leading to his selection in the first round of the 1975 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors. Later that year, he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.
In response to his passing, the Philadelphia 76ers acknowledged Joe Bryant as a local basketball icon whose legacy extended beyond his time on the court. They shared their condolences to the Bryant family during this difficult time.
Standing at 6 feet 9 inches, "Jellybean" Joe played in the NBA for parts of eight seasons with the 76ers, San Diego Clippers, and Houston Rockets, amassing career averages of 8.7 points and 4.0 rebounds per game across 606 appearances.
He notably competed in the 1976-77 NBA Finals with the 76ers, where they faced the Portland Trail Blazers.
After his NBA career, Bryant ventured overseas, playing professionally in France and Italy before transitioning into coaching in 1992. He served as the head coach of the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks from 2005 to 2007 and held coaching roles in various capacities across the globe, including the United States, Japan, and Thailand.
Joe Bryant's personal life intertwined closely with his professional achievements. He married Pam Cox in 1975, and together they welcomed their son Kobe in 1978, who would go on to become a basketball legend in his own right.
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Joe had maintained a low profile since Kobe's tragic passing, making no public statements about the loss of his son.
His death marks another poignant moment for the Bryant family and the basketball community at large, as they mourn the loss of a talented player, devoted coach, and beloved father figure.
Our thoughts are with Bryant's family, friends, and fans at this time.
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