Joe 'Jellybean' Bryant, the father of Kobe Bryant, passes away at the age of 69.

 Former NBA player Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, father of Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, has passed away at the age of 69. The official cause of his death has not been disclosed as of Tuesday morning. La Salle University, where Bryant played and coached, expressed sorrow, calling him a cherished member of their community.

Fran Dunphy, a longtime basketball coach in the Philadelphia area and currently at La Salle, shared with the Philadelphia Inquirer that Bryant had recently suffered a severe stroke. Joe Bryant had largely stayed out of the public eye following the tragic death of his son Kobe in a helicopter crash in 2020. Kobe had spoken highly of his father, describing him as a "great basketball mind" who taught him invaluable lessons about the game.

Joe Bryant had a notable career both in the NBA and internationally after his standout years at La Salle University, where he averaged 20.8 points per game over two seasons. He was drafted in the first round by the Golden State Warriors in 1975 and later played for the Philadelphia 76ers, among other teams.

The Philadelphia 76ers acknowledged Bryant as a local basketball legend whose impact extended from his high school days at Bartram to his time in the NBA. Bryant played nearly a decade in Europe before transitioning to coaching in 1992. He coached various teams including the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks and held coaching roles in the U.S., Japan, and Thailand.

Joe Bryant's legacy in basketball is remembered fondly, and condolences have been extended to his family during this time of loss......Read More