Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, a former NBA player and father of the late Kobe Bryant, has passed away at the age of 69, La Salle University announced on Tuesday.
Bryant, who played collegiate basketball at La Salle University from 1973 to 1975, also served as the head coach for the Explorers from 1993 to 1996.
During his NBA career from 1975 to 1983, Joe Bryant played for teams including the Philadelphia 76ers, San Diego Clippers, and Houston Rockets. He later continued his basketball career in Europe, playing in Italy from 1983 to 1991 and concluding with French side Mulhouse in 1991. Over his NBA tenure, Bryant averaged 8.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game.
After retiring from playing, Bryant ventured into coaching, achieving a record of 40-24 over parts of three seasons with the Women’s NBA Los Angeles Sparks. He also coached in Asia, working with teams in Tokyo, Hokkaido, Bangkok, and Fukuoka.
Joe Bryant’s son, Kobe Bryant, became a basketball legend in his own right, winning five NBA championships, two Olympic gold medals, and the NBA Most Valuable Player award in 2008 during his career with the Los Angeles Lakers from 1996 to 2016. Kobe tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in 2020 at the age of 41, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the world of basketball.
La Salle University expressed its condolences, describing Joe Bryant as a beloved member of their basketball community who will be greatly missed.
