Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, the father of late basketball legend Kobe Bryant and a former NBA player and coach, has passed away at the age of 69. The news was confirmed by La Salle University, where Joe both played and coached. Though the official cause of death has not been disclosed, La Salle University, his alma mater, stated that Bryant “was a beloved member of the Explorer family and will be dearly missed.”
Our deepest condolences to the Bryant family and our La Salle community. May we remember Joe, always. https://t.co/jXLePtXFDg
— La Salle University (@LaSalleUniv) July 16, 2024
Bryant’s passing comes after a difficult period following the death of his son, Kobe Bryant, in a tragic helicopter crash in 2020. According to reports from the Philadelphia Inquirer, Joe Bryant recently suffered a massive stroke, which likely contributed to his death.
Kobe Bryant often spoke highly of his father, attributing much of his basketball knowledge and skills to Joe. “He was a great basketball mind,” Kobe told ESPN in 2010, adding that his father taught him “from an early age how to view the game, how to prepare for the game and how to execute.”
Joe Bryant’s own basketball career was notable. He starred at La Salle University, averaging 20.8 points per game over two seasons. His college performance led to him being selected in the first round of the 1975 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors. Shortly after, he was acquired by the Philadelphia 76ers, marking the beginning of his professional career.
Bryant played eight seasons in the NBA, where he donned the jerseys of the 76ers, San Diego Clippers, and Houston Rockets. Standing at 6-foot-9, he played as a forward and averaged 8.7 points and 4.0 rebounds across 606 career games. He was part of the 1976-77 Sixers team that reached the NBA Finals but fell short against the Portland Trail Blazers.
After his NBA stint, Joe Bryant continued his basketball journey overseas, playing nearly a decade in France and Italy. His time in Italy significantly influenced Kobe Bryant, who developed his basketball passion and became fluent in Italian during those years. The Bryant family returned to the Philadelphia area when Kobe was about 13, where he blossomed into a high school star before being drafted into the NBA.
Joe Bryant transitioned into coaching in 1992. His coaching career was diverse and international, featuring roles in the U.S., Japan, Thailand, and Italy. Notably, he served as the head coach of the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks for parts of three seasons, allowing him to work in the same city where his son Kobe played for the Lakers.
Reflecting on Joe Bryant’s legacy, La Salle University emphasized his impact on the basketball community. “We are saddened to announce the passing of La Salle basketball great Joe Bryant,” the school stated in a news release. “Joe played for the Explorers from 1973-75 and was a member of our coaching staff from 1993-96. He was a beloved member of the Explorer family and will be dearly missed.”
The Philadelphia 76ers also released a statement honoring Bryant’s contributions to the sport. “Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant was a local basketball icon, whose legacy on the court transcended his journey across Bartram High School, La Salle University, and his first four NBA seasons with the 76ers from 1975-79. Our condolences go out to the Bryant family.”
Joe Bryant’s legacy in basketball is profound, not only through his own achievements but also through the monumental impact he had on his son Kobe, who became one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Despite seldom appearing in public after Kobe’s death, Joe’s influence on the game and his dedication to teaching and coaching the sport remained significant.
