Another loss for the Bryant family… We are heartbroken đź’”


Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, father of the late NBA Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, has passed away at 69, La Salle University announced. Joe reportedly suffered a stroke recently, though the exact cause of death remains unconfirmed.

Joe Bryant had a storied basketball career, starting as the 14th overall pick in the 1975 NBA draft by the Golden State Warriors. He played for the Philadelphia 76ers, the San Diego Clippers, and the Houston Rockets, before continuing his career in Europe. La Salle, where Joe played and later coached, honored him as “a beloved member of the Explorer family.”

The 76ers paid tribute, remembering Joe as “a local basketball icon” who left a lasting impact on Philadelphia basketball.

Kobe Bryant’s widow, Vanessa, shared her condolences on Instagram, remembering Joe as “sweet and nice to be around,” adding that Kobe “loved him very much.” Doug Young, a former teammate of Kobe, remembered Joe as a positive influence and role model, whose love for basketball was contagious.

Arn Tellem, former agent for Kobe, mourned Joe as a “devoted husband, father, and grandfather” and a “true Philly hoops legend.”

Joe Bryant’s passing marks another loss for the Bryant family, four years after Kobe and Gianna’s tragic deaths.


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