Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, father of Hall of Fame basketball player Kobe Bryant and a former NBA player himself, passed away at the age of sixty-nine. The cause of death has not been officially disclosed, but La Salle University, where Bryant both played and coached, released a statement mourning the loss of a cherished community member. According to Fran Dunphy, a long-time Philadelphia basketball coach, Bryant had recently suffered a severe stroke.
Joe Bryant had largely stayed out of the public eye following the tragic helicopter crash in January 2020 that claimed the lives of his son Kobe, granddaughter Gianna, and seven others. Despite their complex relationship, Kobe once praised his father’s basketball knowledge, crediting him in a 2010 ESPN interview for teaching him the game from a young age.
Vanessa Bryant, Kobe’s widow, expressed her condolences on Instagram, recalling the sweet, albeit limited, interactions she had with her father-in-law. She noted that Kobe had a deep affection for his father.
Bryant’s basketball career began at La Salle University, where he averaged 20.8 points per game over two seasons. He was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the 1975 NBA Draft but started his professional career with the Philadelphia 76ers. The 76ers acknowledged his contributions, describing him as a local basketball icon whose legacy extended beyond his playing days.
Doug Young, a former teammate of Kobe at Lower Merion High School, fondly remembered Joe as a mentor and role model, noting his positive influence and the close bond he shared with his son. Joe Bryant’s basketball career included stints with the 76ers, Clippers, and Rockets, with averages of 8.7 points and 4.0 rebounds over 606 NBA games. He was part of the 1976-77 Sixers team that reached the NBA Finals.
After his NBA career, Bryant played overseas in France and Italy before transitioning to coaching. His coaching career spanned various levels, including stints in the WNBA with the Los Angeles Sparks, as well as roles in Japan and Thailand. He was also a head coach at the professional and collegiate levels in the United States.
Arn Tellem, the vice chairman of the Pistons and Kobe Bryant’s former agent, expressed his sorrow, highlighting Joe’s legacy as a Philadelphia basketball legend and his warm, welcoming nature. Tellem credited Joe’s friendship for opening the door to represent Kobe as he entered the NBA, a cherished memory.
Joe Bryant’s death marks the loss of a figure who left a significant mark on the basketball world, both through his own career and his influence on one of the sport’s greatest players, his son Kobe. His legacy will be remembered by those who knew him, both on and off the court.
