Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, Kobe Bryant’s Father, Dies At 69 Following Massive Stroke
Joe “Jellybean” Bryant — retired NBA star and father of the late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant — has reportedly passed away at the age of 69 following a massive stroke, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.
The former 76ers player’s death comes four years after his son’s — who died in a tragic helicopter crash with his daughter Gianna.
“We are saddened to announce the passing of La Salle basketball great Joe Bryant. Joe played for the Explorers from 1973-75 and was a member of our coaching staff from 1993-96. He was a beloved member of the Explorer family and will be dearly missed,” the official X account of La Salle University Men’s Basketball stated.
Per reports, Bryant attended LaSalle in Philly for his collegiate career ahead of becoming a first-draft round pick in 1975 for the Golden State Warriors.
The Warriors then traded him to the 76ers, where he played for four seasons until he joined the San Diego Clippers and Houston Rockets averaging 8.7 points and four rebounds a game. Following his stellar NBA career, he played internationally in Italy and France and even coached teams in Thailand and Japan.
Additionally, Bryant was an assistant and head coach for the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks from 2005-2007 and in 2011.
Joe “Jelly Bean” Bryant, father of Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers laughs as the Lakers play the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2010 NBA Playoffs on April 20, 2010 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
As reported, there seemed to be a strain on Joe and Kobe’s once-close relationship when his parents auctioned off various items of memorabilia from his career, including his championship ring and high school keepsakes.
“When u give Give GIVE and they take Take TAKE at wat point do u draw a line in the sand?” Kobe tweeted in 2013 with the hashtags “hurt beyond measure,” “gave me no warning,” and finally, “love?”
He also spoke with ESPN in 2016 where he stated, “Our relationship is sh*t. I say, ‘I’m going to buy you a very nice home,’ and the response is, ‘That’s not good enough?’ Then you’re selling my sh*t?”
His parents’ decision to cash in on his memorabilia almost resulted in a lawsuit as Kobe reportedly wasn’t aware about them auctioning off his things, nor did he give permission to sell his items.
The Bryants gave a public apology via ESPN following the auction, stating: “We regret our actions and statements related to the Kobe Bryant auction memorabilia. We apologize for any misunderstanding and unintended pain we have caused our son and appreciate the financial support he has provided over the years.”
According to Fox Sports, right before Kobe’s death, he and his parents were reportedly mending their tainted relationship, however it wasn’t made clear if it actually ever happened.
VIBE sends condolences to the family, friends and fans of Joe Bryant. May he Rest In Peace.
