Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, father of NBA legend Kobe Bryant and former NBA player, has died at 69. La Salle University, where he played and coached, called him “a beloved member of the Explorer family” who would be “dearly missed.” Fran Dunphy, La Salle’s head coach, said Bryant had recently suffered a severe stroke before his passing.

Since Kobe’s tragic helicopter crash in 2020, Joe Bryant largely stayed out of the public eye, but his influence on his son’s career was immense. Kobe often credited his father for teaching him to “view the game, prepare for the game, and execute,” showing Joe’s deep understanding of basketball strategy and discipline.

Bryant was a standout athlete at La Salle University, averaging 20.8 points per game. He was selected in the 1975 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors and debuted with the Philadelphia 76ers. He also played for the San Diego Clippers and Houston Rockets, earning a reputation as a skilled and entertaining player.

The 76ers called him “a local basketball icon” whose impact extended beyond the court. Doug Young, a former teammate of Kobe, described Joe as a “role model” who inspired young athletes. “He made basketball fun,” Young said, “and made us all want to be better.”

Beyond playing, Bryant coached at multiple levels, including the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks. Arn Tellem, Kobe’s former agent, summed up his legacy as “a true Philly hoops legend… whose warmth touched everyone he met.” Through his own achievements and the lessons he passed to others, Joe Bryant left a lasting mark on basketball.