The sports department of La Salle University announced the passing of Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, the late father of Basketball Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, at the age of 69.
Joe had just had a stroke, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer, citing La Salle men’s head basketball coach Fran Dunphy. The precise reason for the death is yet unknown.
Joe “was a beloved member of the Explorer family and will be dearly missed,” according to a statement from La Salle University, where he was both a coach and player.
Like his well-known son, Joe was also a well-known basketball player. He played for the Philadelphia 76ers for four seasons,
the then-San Diego Clippers for three seasons, and the Houston Rockets for one season after being selected by the Golden State Warriors with the 14th overall choice in the 1975 NBA draft.
