Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, Kobe’s Father and Former NBA Player, Passes Away at 69
Los Angeles, [Current Date] – Basketball legend Kobe Bryant’s father, Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, has died at the age of 69, according to the University of La Salle, where he played and trained.
Life and Career
Joe Bryant played eight seasons in the NBA after being selected by the Golden State Warriors with the 14th pick in the 1975 draft. He was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers and appeared in the 1977 NBA Finals. Throughout his career, he also played for the Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets, finishing with averages of 8.7 points and 4.0 rebounds in 606 matches.
International Success
After retiring from the NBA, Bryant moved to Italy and found success playing in the A Mang Sebastiani Rieti, Reggio Calabria, Olimpia Pistoia, and Reggiana before retiring in 1991 at the Mulhouse in France. He later ventured into coaching, working with the Los Angeles Sparks and several teams in the Japanese League.
Relationship with Kobe
Despite his influence on Kobe’s life and basketball career, their relationship cooled significantly after Kobe became a star for the Los Angeles Lakers. Kobe has credited his father with teaching him important lessons, saying, "He had a great mind for basketball" and instilling him with the skills to "see the game, prepare for it, and execute it." However, Kobe also sued his parents after they auctioned off some of his valuable memories, which further strained their relationship.
Later Life and Legacy
Bryant was rarely seen in public after the helicopter crash in 2020 that claimed the lives of Kobe and his daughter Gianna. There has been no public statement regarding the incident. Despite his struggles, Joe Bryant’s legacy in basketball lives on, and he will be remembered for his contributions to the sport as a player, coach, and mentor to his son Kobe.
