Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, father of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, has died at 69. While the cause of death is unconfirmed, reports say he recently suffered a severe stroke. La Salle University, where Bryant once played and coached, mourned his loss, calling him “a beloved member of the Explorer family.”

Drafted by the Golden State Warriors in 1975, Joe Bryant played for the Philadelphia 76ers and had a successful career in the U.S. and overseas. Kobe often credited his father’s basketball knowledge, saying it helped shape his own game.

Since Kobe’s tragic death in 2020, Joe had kept a low profile. Vanessa Bryant shared her condolences on Instagram, remembering Joe as “sweet and kind,” and noting Kobe’s “deep love for him.”