Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, Father of Kobe Bryant, Passes Away at 69
Joe Bryant, former NBA player and father of the legendary Kobe Bryant, has passed away at 69. La Salle University, where he played and later coached, honored him as a “beloved member of the Explorer family” who will be deeply missed. Head coach Fran Dunphy confirmed that Bryant had recently suffered a severe stroke.
Since the heartbreaking loss of Kobe in 2020, Joe largely stayed out of the public eye. Kobe had always credited his father’s influence, saying, “He taught me how to see the game, prepare for it, and execute.”
A standout at La Salle, Bryant averaged 20.8 points per game before being drafted by the Golden State Warriors in 1975. He later played for the Philadelphia 76ers, who honored him as a “local basketball icon.”
Beyond his playing career, Bryant left a lasting impact as a coach, including a stint with the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks. Former players and friends remember him as a mentor, role model, and a man who made basketball fun.
Arn Tellem, Kobe’s former agent, said, “Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant was a true Philly hoops legend… whose warmth touched everyone he met.”
