Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, Father of NBA Icon Kobe Bryant, Passes Away at 69 Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, a former college basketball star, NBA forward, and the father of the late Kobe Bryant, has passed away at the age of 69. His recent demise comes four-and-a-half years after his son Kobe and granddaughter Gianna tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash in California. Joe Bryant was a Philadelphia basketball legend, excelling at John Bartram High School and La Salle University. He was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the 1975 NBA Draft and played eight seasons in the league with

the Philadelphia 76ers, San Diego Clippers, and Houston Rockets. Bryant was part of the 76ers’ 1976-77 Eastern Conference championship squad. After his NBA career, he played overseas in Italy and France for eight years. Bryant later transitioned to coaching, achieving success with the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks. Father-Son Relationship: Joe and Kobe Bryant were incredibly close for much of their lives. In recent years, they had a falling out, and Joe never publicly commented on his son’s untimely passing. Joe Bryant’s legacy extends beyond the court, touching the hearts of basketball fans worldwide. His impact will be remembered alongside that of his legendary son, Kobe Bryant2