Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, the former NBA player and basketball coach who was the father of Kobe Bryant, died at 69, according to reports published after La Salle University announced his passing on July 16, 2024. Bryant’s career included eight NBA seasons, a return to his alma mater as a coach, and work with the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks.
Who was Joe “Jellybean” Bryant?
Bryant was a Philadelphia-born basketball player and coach whose career spanned college basketball, the NBA and professional coaching. He is widely known as Kobe Bryant’s father, but his own playing career began before Kobe became an NBA star. La Salle University described him as a “La Salle basketball great” and a “beloved member of the Explorer family” in its statement announcing his passing, reproduced by NBA.com.
What was Joe Bryant’s NBA career?
The Associated Press reported that Golden State selected Bryant 14th overall in the 1975 NBA draft, then sold his rights to Philadelphia before his rookie season. He played four seasons with the 76ers, three with the San Diego Clippers and one with the Houston Rockets. Across those eight seasons, the AP reported, he appeared in 606 games and averaged 8.7 points per game. Those are the career figures reported by the AP; the report did not provide advanced-stat context.
How was Bryant connected to La Salle?
Bryant played for La Salle’s Explorers from 1973 to 1975, then joined the university’s coaching staff from 1993 to 1996, according to the university statement carried by NBA.com. His coaching work also included the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks, the Los Angeles Times reported.
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What was reported about Bryant’s death?
La Salle announced Bryant’s passing on Tuesday, July 16, 2024; the Associated Press report carried by NBA.com said he was 69. That is the announcement and reporting date; the sources cited here do not establish an exact date of death as an officially confirmed fact.
As of the morning of July 16, ESPN reported that no official cause of death had been announced. ESPN separately attributed a report that Bryant had recently suffered a massive stroke to La Salle coach Fran Dunphy, speaking to The Philadelphia Inquirer. That attributed account should not be treated as an officially confirmed cause of death. ESPN’s report describes what was known at that time.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How did Kobe Bryant’s family and basketball peers respond?
Kobe Bryant’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, shared condolences in an Instagram story, according to the AP report carried by NBA.com. She wrote: “Sending our condolences upon hearing the news of my father in law’s passing,” adding, “We hoped things would’ve been different. Although the times we spent together were few, he was always sweet and nice to be around. Kobe loved him very much.”
Arn Tellem, Detroit Pistons vice chairman and Kobe Bryant’s former agent, also paid tribute in the AP report: “I’m deeply saddened by the passing of Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant and join the basketball community in mourning a true Philly hoops legend.”
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