Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, father of Kobe Bryant and former NBA player, has passed away at 69. While the cause of death remains undisclosed, he recently suffered a severe stroke.
A standout at La Salle University, Joe played 606 NBA games, averaging 8.7 points and 4.0 rebounds, and later coached in the U.S., Japan, and Thailand. Kobe credited his father for shaping his basketball mindset. The 76ers honored Joe as a “local basketball icon,” and he was remembered as a role model by many.