Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, father of the late NBA superstar Kobe Bryant and a former professional basketball player, has died at the age of 69, according to La Salle University’s athletics department. La Salle confirmed to CNN that Bryant passed away Tuesday morning, though the cause of death was not officially disclosed.
The Philadelphia Inquirer, citing La Salle men’s head basketball coach Fran Dunphy, reported that Bryant had recently suffered a stroke. Known affectionately as “Jellybean,” Bryant was a Philadelphia native who played for La Salle University from 1973 to 1975.
Bryant’s professional career spanned both the NBA and European leagues. He was drafted 14th overall by the Golden State Warriors in the 1975 NBA draft and went on to play for the Philadelphia 76ers for four seasons, the San Diego Clippers for three, and the Houston Rockets for one. His career also took him to Europe, where he notably played in Italy.
After his playing career, Bryant remained involved in basketball, serving on La Salle’s coaching staff from 1993 to 1996. La Salle’s men’s basketball X account paid tribute to Bryant, calling him “a beloved member of the Explorer family” who “will be dearly missed.”
The Philadelphia 76ers also honored Bryant, 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.”
This loss comes just over four years after the tragic death of his son, Kobe Bryant, who, along with his daughter Gianna and seven others, was killed in a helicopter crash in California in January 2020.
Joe Bryant’s passing marks the end of an era for a family that has left an indelible mark on the world of basketball. His legacy, both as a player and as the father of one of the sport’s greatest icons, will continue to be remembered and celebrated by fans and the basketball community alike.
