Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, father of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, has passed away at 69 following a severe stroke. La Salle University, where he played and coached, mourned his loss, calling him a beloved member of the community. Bryant, who had rarely appeared publicly since Kobe’s tragic death in 2020, was praised by his son for teaching him the game of basketball from a young age.
A standout at La Salle, Joe averaged 20.8 points per game and was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in 1975, later playing for the Philadelphia 76ers and other NBA teams. The 76ers called him a local basketball icon. After his playing career, Joe became a coach, including a stint with the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks. His former teammates remembered him as a role model who made the game enjoyable and inspired others to improve.
Arn Tellem, Kobe’s former agent, said, “Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant was a true Philly hoops legend… whose warmth touched everyone he met.”
