Photo Courtesy: ESPN
Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, the father of the late Basketball Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, has died at the age of 69. The news was confirmed by his alma mater, La Salle University, on Tuesday. Joe Bryant had recently suffered a massive stroke, according to La Salle coach Fran Dunphy.
Early Life and NBA Career
Joe Bryant was a Philadelphia hoops legend who made significant contributions to the game both in the United States and internationally. He played eight seasons in the NBA with three different franchises: the Philadelphia 76ers, the San Diego Clippers, and the Houston Rockets. Over the course of his NBA career, Bryant averaged 8.7 points per game across 606 appearances. He was originally drafted as the 14th pick by the Golden State Warriors in the 1975 draft, though his rights were sold to the Philadelphia 76ers before his rookie season began.
International Career and Influence on Kobe
After his NBA career, Joe Bryant played internationally, with stints in France and Italy. It was during his time in Italy that his son Kobe began to develop a deep love for basketball, becoming fluent in Italian and starting to hone the skills that would make him a global superstar. The Bryant family moved back to the Philadelphia area when Kobe was around 13 years old, where he quickly emerged as a high school basketball phenom before making the jump to the NBA.
Coaching Career
Joe Bryant’s contributions to basketball extended beyond his playing days. He had several coaching stints in Italy, Japan, and Thailand, as well as with the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks. This meant he was coaching in the same city where his son Kobe was playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, adding another layer to their unique father-son relationship in the basketball world.
Legacy and Personal Life
Bryant’s legacy intertwines deeply with his son, Kobe Bryant, who tragically died in a helicopter crash in January 2020 along with his daughter Gianna and seven others. Despite some periods of estrangement, Joe and his wife Pam Bryant attended the memorial service held in Los Angeles for Kobe and Gianna. People remember Joe Bryant as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Vanessa Bryant, Kobe’s widow, expressed her condolences on Instagram, noting that although they interacted only occasionally, Joe was always kind and sweet.
Joe Bryant has died at age 69. May his soul rest in peace.
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