Joe Bryant, Father of Kobe Bryant, Dies at 69
Former NBA Player and Coach Remembered for Passing on His Love of Basketball
Obituary and Tributes Pouring in for the Basketball Legend's Father
Joe Bryant, the father of the late NBA great Kobe Bryant and a former pro basketball player himself, has died at the age of 69. La Salle University, the school where Joe Bryant played college basketball, announced his passing in a statement.
Joe Bryant, known affectionately as "Jellybean," played in the NBA for eight seasons and later coached the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks. He was also the head coach of the Tokyo Apache in Japan and the Philadelphia 76ers' development team.
Kobe Bryant often credited his father with teaching him the game of basketball and instilling in him a relentless work ethic. In a 2010 interview with ESPN, Kobe described his father as a "great basketball mind."
Tributes to Joe Bryant have been pouring in from across the basketball world. Former players, coaches, and fans are remembering him as a passionate and dedicated mentor who touched the lives of many.
Details of Joe Bryant's passing and funeral arrangements have not yet been released. Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family and friends during this difficult time.
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