Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, father of the late Basketball Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, has passed away at the age of 69, according to La Salle University’s athletics department.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported, citing La Salle men’s head basketball coach Fran Dunphy, that Joe had recently suffered a stroke. The exact cause of his death has not been confirmed.
La Salle University, where Joe both played and coached, expressed their sorrow in a statement, saying he "was a beloved member of the Explorer family and will be dearly missed."
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Much like his famous son, Joe was a well-known basketball player in his own right. He was selected by the Golden State Warriors as the 14th overall pick in the 1975 NBA draft. Joe spent four seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers, three seasons with the then-San Diego Clippers, and one season with the Houston Rockets. He also had a career playing in Europe.
The Philadelphia 76ers honored Joe, describing him as "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."
Joe’s sudden passing occurs four years after the tragic deaths of his son Kobe and granddaughter Gianna, who perished in a helicopter crash alongside seven others.
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Kobe’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, shared her condolences on Instagram, saying, "We hoped things would’ve been different. Although the times we spent together were few, he was always sweet and nice to be around. Kobe loved him very much."
Doug Young, a former teammate of Kobe’s, remembered Joe as an exemplary "role model." He shared with ESPN, "Joe was our JV coach at Lower Merion and I could not have asked for a more positive mentor, teacher, and role model. It’s difficult to overstate how much he influenced me and my teammates. He made basketball fun and made us all want to be better; he believed in us. I’ll never forget his infectious smile, his bear hugs and the incredible bond he shared with Kobe. Growing up in Lower Merion, there was no family we loved and admired more than the Bryants, and that started with Joe."
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Arn Tellem, the vice chairman of the Pistons and Kobe Bryant’s former agent, also expressed his grief over Joe’s passing. He spoke of their friendship, saying, "Our friendship opened the door for me to represent Kobe as he entered the NBA, a memory I’ll always cherish. Joe was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, whose warmth touched everyone he met."
May Joe Bryant rest in peace.
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