Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, father of late NBA icon Kobe Bryant and a former professional basketball player and coach, has died at the age of 69. La Salle University, where Bryant starred as a college player and later returned to coach, paid tribute to him as “a beloved member of the Explorer family.” La Salle head coach Fran Dunphy noted that Bryant had recently suffered a severe stroke. Since Kobe’s tragic death in a 2020 helicopter crash, Joe had kept a low public profile. Kobe often credited his father for shaping his basketball mindset, saying Joe taught him how to “view, prepare for, and execute” the game from an early age.

Joe Bryant’s basketball journey began at La Salle, where he averaged an impressive 20.8 points per game. He was selected by the Golden State Warriors in the 1975 NBA Draft and went on to play for the Philadelphia 76ers and other teams. The 76ers honored him as a “local basketball icon.” Beyond playing, Bryant coached extensively—including a stint with the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks—leaving a lasting impact on players and communities. Doug Young, a former teammate of Kobe, remembered Joe as a role model who made basketball both fun and meaningful. Arn Tellem, Kobe’s longtime agent, described Bryant as a “Philly hoops legend” whose warmth and generosity touched everyone he encountered. Joe Bryant leaves behind a rich legacy in basketball and a lasting influence on generations of players.