Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant, former NBA player and father of Kobe Bryant, dies at 69

PHILADELPHIA – Former NBA player Joe Bryant, the father of late Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, has died at the age of 69.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Bryant had recently suffered a stroke.

Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, born in Philadelphia, attended John Batram High School and later played college basketball at LaSalle University. The university confirmed Bryant’s death in a tweet Tuesday morning.

Bryant was selected in the first round of the 1975 draft by the Golden State Warriors, but was soon traded to the 76ers, where he spent his first four seasons in the NBA.

He subsequently played for the San Diego Clippers and the Houston Rockets before continuing his career in Europe from 1983 to 1991.

During his time in the NBA, Joe averaged 8.7 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists per game.

Bryant also spent several years as a coach, including as an assistant for the LaSalle Explorers and for the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA.

In 1975, Joe married his wife, Pam Cox, with whom he had three children.

Kobe and his daughter Gianna tragically died in a helicopter crash in January 2020, along with seven others. Kobe was 41 and Gianna was 13.