Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, the former NBA player and father of the late basketball superstar Kobe Bryant, has died at the age of 69. The news of his passing was announced by his alma mater and confirmed by multiple sources.
Bryant, a Philadelphia basketball hero, had an impressive career spanning eight seasons in the NBA, playing for teams such as the Philadelphia 76ers, San Diego Clippers, and Houston Rockets. Beyond his professional career, he was known for his coaching stints, including a memorable tenure coaching a Jewish day school’s girls’ basketball team.
Joe Bryant’s legacy extends beyond his own achievements on the court. As the father of Kobe Bryant, he was a significant influence on one of the greatest basketball players of all time. The Bryant family has faced tremendous tragedy, losing Kobe and his daughter Gianna in a helicopter crash in 2020, and now mourning the loss of Joe Bryant.
The basketball community remembers Joe “Jellybean” Bryant not just for his contributions to the game but also for his role in shaping the career of his iconic son.