Joe Bryantthe father of the late Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant, reportedly died. Joe Bryant, nicknamed Jellybean, was a Philadelphia native who played and coached basketball in the city, reportedly suffering a stroke.
The Philadelphia Inquirer References that Joe Bryant suffered a stroke based on comments made by La Salle University Men's Basketball Coach Fran Dunphy. Bryant's death comes more than four years after the deaths of Kobe Bryant and his granddaughter Gigi Bryant on January 26, 2020.
According to Questioner, Bryant earned the nickname Jellybean for his love of sweet treats and was a star player at Bartram High School and La Salle University before being drafted in the first round of the 1975 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors. After eight seasons in the league, including four with the Philadelphia 76ers, Bryant established himself as a player in Italy and Europe, where a young Kobe learned the Italian language.
The report adds that a distance became apparent between Kobe Bryant and his father after being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers out of Lower Merion High School. After the deaths of his son and granddaughter, the elder Bryant never spoke of the loss, stating how far the rift was between them.
Joe Bryant was 69 years old.
—
Photo: Johnny Nunez/Getty