Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant, former NBA player and father of Kobe Bryant, dies at age 69

Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, former NBA player and father of the late Kobe Bryant, passed away at the age of 69. Selected in the first round of the NBA draft, Bryant played eight seasons in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers, San Diego Clippers, and Houston Rockets. He later continued his career in Europe, spending a decade mostly in Italy. During his NBA career, Bryant averaged 8.7 points and 4.0 rebounds per game and was part of the 76ers team that reached the 1977 NBA finals, ultimately losing to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Following his playing career, Bryant transitioned into coaching with stints in Thailand, Japan, and with the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks. He also served as an assistant coach at La Salle University, where he played college basketball. La Salle expressed their condolences, stating that Bryant “was a beloved member of the Explorer family and will be dearly missed.”

Although the cause of death has not been publicly disclosed, it is understood that Bryant recently suffered a stroke. His contributions to basketball extended beyond his own career, significantly influencing his son, Kobe Bryant. Kobe frequently credited his father for his development as a player. In a 2010 interview with ESPN, Kobe remarked 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 last coaching position was in 2015, and he largely withdrew from public life following Kobe’s tragic death in a helicopter crash in 2020. In addition to Kobe, Joe Bryant is survived by his two daughters, Sharia and Shaya.