Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant, father of late NBA legend Kobe Bryant, has died at the age of 69 due to complications from a massive stroke. The news was confirmed by Fran Dunphy, the current head coach of La Salle University, where Bryant had been both a player and coach.Bryant had a notable basketball career, playing eight seasons in the NBA from 1975 to 1983 for three different franchises: the Philadelphia 76ers, San Diego Clippers, and Houston Rockets. He averaged 8.7 points in 606 games throughout his NBA career.After his NBA stint, Bryant continued his basketball journey internationally, playing and coaching in various countries including Italy, France, Japan, and Thailand. His time in Italy had a significant impact on his son Kobe’s development as a basketball player and contributed to Kobe becoming fluent in Italian.Following his playing career, Joe Bryant transitioned into coaching, including a stint as head coach of the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks. His coaching career spanned multiple countries and levels of the sport, showcasing his deep involvement in basketball.Joe Bryant’s passing comes four years after the tragic helicopter crash in January 2020 that claimed the lives of his son Kobe, granddaughter Gianna, and seven others. Since that accident, Joe Bryant had largely withdrawn from public life.He is survived by his wife, Pam, and their daughters, Sharia B. Washington and Shaya Tabb. The basketball community mourns the loss of Joe Bryant, remembering him not only as Kobe’s father but as a significant figure in the sport in his own right.
Key points
- Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant, father of Kobe Bryant, has died at age 69 due to complications from a massive stroke.
- Bryant had an 8-year NBA career, followed by successful international playing and coaching stints.
- His time in Italy significantly influenced Kobe Bryant’s basketball development and language skills.
- Joe Bryant’s death comes four years after the tragic helicopter crash that killed Kobe, his granddaughter Gianna, and seven others in 2020.
Contradictions👾There is a slight discrepancy in the reported length of Joe Bryant’s NBA career, with most sources stating eight seasons, while one source mentions nine years.
