Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, the father of the late Basketball Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, has died at the age of 69, La Salle University’s athletics department reported.
Citing La Salle men’s head basketball coach Fran Dunphy, The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote Joe had recently suffered a stoke. The exact cause of death hasn’t been confirmed yet.
La Salle University, where Joe played and coached, said in a statement that he “was a beloved member of the Explorer family and will be dearly missed.”
Just like his famous son, Joe was a renowned basketball player himself. Drafted by the Golden State Warriors as the 14th overall pick in the 1975 NBA draft, he played for the Philadelphia 76ers for four seasons, the then-San Diego Clippers for three seasons, and the Houston Rockets for one season. He also played in Europe.
The 76ers paid tribute to Joe, calling him “a local basketball icon, whose legacy on the court transcended his journey across Bartram High School, La Salle University, and his first four NBA seasons with the 76ers from 1975-79.”
Joe’s sudden passing comes four years after the tragic death of his son Kobe and his granddaughter Gianna, who were killed in a helicopter crash with seven other people.
Kobe’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, wrote on her Instagram story on Tuesday, “Sending our condolences upon hearing the news of my father-in-law’s passing.
“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.”
Former Kobe teammate Doug Young praised Joe as the ideal “role model.”
“Joe was our JV coach at Lower Merion and I could not have asked for a more positive mentor, teacher, and role model,” Young told ESPN. “It’s difficult to overstate how much he influenced me and my teammates. He made basketball fun and made us all want to be better; he believed in us. I’ll never forget his infectious smile, his bear hugs and the incredible bond he shared with Kobe. Growing up in Lower Merion, there was no family we loved and admired more than the Bryants, and that started with Joe.”
Arn Tellem, the vice chairman of the Pistons and formerly Kobe Bryant’s agent, expressed his sadness over the loss of Joe and joined the basketball community in mourning a true Philly hoops legend. “Our friendship opened the door for me to represent Kobe as he entered the NBA, a memory I’ll always cherish. Joe was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, whose warmth touched everyone he met.”
May he rest in peace.
3 Incredible Stories Where Money Caused a Rift in the Family
These stories reveal how money’s presence can bring both hidden motives and deep-seated grievances to light, as well as its potential to heal and transform relationships—when handled with care.
In the first story, Marcus’s stepmother’s plan to monopolize his father’s support and push him out almost succeeded until his grandmother intervened with a powerful revelation. Karen’s true colors emerged as she manipulated the situation for control and self-interest, showing that her actions were less about Marcus’s “responsibility” and more about power. Marcus’s ownership of the home shifted the power dynamics and allowed him to reclaim a sense of belonging and trust with his father.
The second tale highlights how old family wounds can fester without honest confrontation. The siblings’ unresolved bitterness and strained family ties underscore how inheritance can magnify existing issues if not approached with mutual respect. Grandma Eleanor’s strategy of using inheritance as a means to push for reconciliation adds a glimmer of hope that even the most fractured relationships might mend, but it will take more than money. Eleanor’s words subtly nudge the family to realize that true inheritance isn’t just financial; it’s the legacy of love and unity they could carry forward if they can heal.
These narratives show that while money can reveal the darkest parts of human nature, it can also be a catalyst for positive change, serving as a reminder that wealth alone is never enough to mend broken trust or create genuine connections. The choices people make in these situations reveal what truly drives them: power, control, or a desire for healing.
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