Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, a basketball luminary and the father of the late Kobe Bryant, has passed away at the age of 69.
Known for his skills on the court and his charismatic personality, Bryant leaves behind a legacy intertwined with both his own achievements and those of his iconic son.
Bryant recently suffered a massive stroke, La Salle head coach Fran Dunphy announced on Tuesday.
His death comes four and a half years after the tragic helicopter crash on January 26, 2020, that claimed the lives of his son Kobe, granddaughter Gigi, and seven others.
Standing at 6-foot-9, Joe Bryant earned the nickname “Jellybean” for his fondness for the candy and his sweet moves on the court.
His remarkable talents foreshadowed the arrival of basketball legends like Magic Johnson and LeBron James.
A standout player from an early age, Bryant was named Public League Player of the Year in 1972.
He went on to dominate at La Salle University, averaging over 20 points and 11 rebounds per game across two seasons.
Bryant’s professional career began when he was drafted in the first round by the Golden State Warriors in 1975.
However, his rights were sold to the Philadelphia 76ers just four months later.
He played four seasons with his hometown team, contributing off the bench for the 1976-77 squad that reached the NBA Finals.
After a stint with the Houston Rockets, Bryant found even greater success playing professionally in Europe, particularly in Italy, before returning to the Philadelphia area and settling in Wynnewood.
Throughout Kobe’s childhood and stellar high school career at Lower Merion, Joe Bryant was a guiding force and a close companion.
However, their relationship grew strained as Kobe’s NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers took off, leading to his Hall of Fame induction.
The distance between father and son widened as Kobe sought independence, but Joe Bryant never publicly commented on Kobe’s untimely death.
Kobe’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, took to Instagram and released the following statement:
Sending our condolences upon hearing the news of my father in law’s passing. 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. Our prayers go out to family.
See Vanessa’s statement below.
Joe Bryant’s impact on basketball and his role as a father to one of the greatest players in NBA history will long be remembered.
His life and career, marked by both triumphs and challenges, reflect the enduring spirit of a man who loved the game and his family deeply.
My sincerest condolences to the Bryant family.
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Source: Philadelphia Inquirer
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