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.
Snoop Dogg’s Grandkid Who Passed away Lives on in Memory – Meet His 7 Grandchildren
Snoop Dogg’s journey as an artist is matched by his heartfelt role as a devoted family man. Married to Shante Broadus since 1997, Snoop, born Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr., has four children: Corde, Cordell, Cori, and Julian. His family has since expanded, as he embraces the role of “Papa Snoop” to his growing number of grandchildren.
One of the most defining moments in Snoop’s life was the loss of his grandson, Kai Love, who passed away in 2019 at just 10 days old. The experience deeply affected Snoop and his family, spurring Kai’s parents, Corde Broadus and Soraya Love, to create the Kai Heart Foundation, which promotes wellness, spirituality, and family connection in Kai’s honor.
Snoop’s journey into grandparenthood began with the birth of his first grandchild, Zion Kalvin Broadus, in 2015. He is now grandfather to six others: Elleven, Cordoba, Sky, Chateau, Symphony Sol, and Kai. Each holds a unique place in his life, and he openly shares how he treasures his grandkids, embracing the “get-away-with-everything” grandpa persona.
Through the highs and lows of family life, Snoop remains grounded, cherishing his family’s bond. His devotion to being a father, grandfather, and mentor demonstrates how family is central to his legacy, grounding him in his roots and connecting him with his loved ones across generations.
Leave a Reply