On Tuesday morning, the basketball world was heartbroken after learning about the passing of Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, the former Philadelphia basketball star and father of the late, great Kobe Bryant.
He was 69 years old.
Bryant, whose reported love of the candy earned him his nickname, was a star at both Bartram High School in Philadelphia and LaSalle University before moving on to the NBA after being drafted in the first round of the 1975 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors which sold his rights a few months later to his hometown 76ers.
He played eight seasons in the NBA with the Sixers, Clippers and Rockets, averaging 8.7 points and 4 rebounds per game. He continued his professional career overseas in Italy and France before retiring in 1992. He later moved back to the United States and began his coaching career.
“I am heartbroken by the sudden loss of my uncle,” said La Salle men’s basketball assistant coach and Bryant’s nephew, John Cox. “He was a basketball icon in the city of Philadelphia and someone I grew up admiring. The impact he has made both here at La Salle and in the Philly basketball community will be felt for years to come.”
Bryant’s passing comes a little more than four years after the death of his son and granddaughter.
“[Joe Bryant] was a beloved member of the Explorer family and will be dearly missed,” said La Salle University.
Lakers legend Magic Johnson shared his tribute to Joe Bryant on X.
