Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, former NBA player, international coach, and father of late basketball legend Kobe Bryant, passed away on July 16, 2024, at the age of 69. His death followed a massive stroke, as confirmed by La Salle University, his alma mater .
Born on October 19, 1954, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Bryant’s basketball journey began at La Salle University, where he played from 1973 to 1975. He was selected 14th overall in the 1975 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors but was immediately traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. During his eight-season NBA career, he also played for the San Diego Clippers and Houston Rockets, averaging 8.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game over 606 games .
After his NBA tenure, Bryant extended his playing career overseas, notably in Italy and France. His time in Italy was particularly influential, as it exposed his son Kobe to international basketball and culture during his formative years. Bryant transitioned into coaching in the early 1990s, starting at Akiba Hebrew Academy in Pennsylvania, then serving as an assistant coach at La Salle University from 1993 to 1996. He later held coaching positions in various leagues, including the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks, where he led the team to a 25–9 record and a Conference Finals appearance in 2006 . His international coaching career spanned countries like Japan and Thailand, reflecting his global impact on the sport.
Bryant’s legacy is deeply intertwined with his son Kobe’s illustrious career. Kobe often credited his father for instilling in him a profound understanding of basketball from a young age. In a 2010 interview with ESPN, Kobe described his father as “a great basketball mind” who taught him how to view, prepare for, and execute the game . The tragic helicopter crash in January 2020 that claimed the lives of Kobe, his daughter Gianna, and seven others was a devastating blow to the Bryant family.
Following Joe Bryant’s passing, tributes poured in from the basketball community. Magic Johnson expressed his devastation over the loss, remembering Bryant as an exceptional individual with a radiant smile and a talented basketball player who also served as a great coach . The Philadelphia 76ers honored him as a local basketball icon whose legacy transcended his journey across Bartram High School, La Salle University, and his NBA career .
Joe Bryant is survived by his wife, Pam, and daughters, Sharia and Shaya. His contributions to basketball, both as a player and coach, and his role in shaping one of the game’s greatest talents, leave an enduring legacy in the sport’s history.