The basketball world mourns the loss of Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, father of the legendary Kobe Bryant and a respected figure in his own right. La Salle University, where Joe played and coached, hailed him as a “beloved member of the Explorer family.”
Joe’s passing at 69 comes after a severe stroke and a period of relative seclusion following the tragic loss of his son Kobe in a helicopter crash in January 2020.
A standout player at La Salle, Joe averaged 20.8 points per game and was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in 1975. He went on to play for the Philadelphia 76ers and other NBA teams, earning recognition as a “local basketball icon.”
Kobe often credited Joe with teaching him the fundamentals of the game, saying, “He showed me how to view the game, prepare, and execute from an early age.”
As a coach, Joe made a lasting impact on players like Doug Young, who remembered him as an inspiring role model. “He made basketball fun and pushed us to be our best.”
Joe’s coaching career spanned various levels, including the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks.
Arn Tellem, Kobe’s former agent, praised Joe as a “true Philly hoops legend” whose warmth touched everyone he met.
The 76ers acknowledged Joe’s enduring legacy, saying, “His impact on the game will never be forgotten.”
Joe “Jellybean” Bryant’s memory lives on through his family, friends, and the countless lives he touched through basketball.
