Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, father of NBA Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, has passed away at 69. The cause of death has not been confirmed, but it was reported that he recently suffered a severe stroke. La Salle University, where Bryant played and coached, mourned his loss, calling him a beloved member of the Explorer family,

Joe Bryant, a former NBA player drafted by the Golden State Warriors in 1975, played for the Philadelphia 76ers and had a successful career both in the U.S. and abroad. Kobe once praised his father’s basketball knowledge for shaping his own game. Since Kobe’s tragic death in 2020, Joe made few public appearances.Kobe’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, expressed condolences on Instagram, recalling Joe as sweet and kind, and highlighting Kobe’s deep love for him.