Another terrible loss for the Bryant family, sending prayers

Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, the father of the late Basketball Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, has died at the age of 69, La Salle University’s athletics department reported.

Citing La Salle men’s head basketball coach Fran Dunphy, The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote Joe had recently suffered a stoke. The exact cause of death hasn’t been confirmed yet.

La Salle University, where Joe played and coached, said in a statement that he “was a beloved member of the Explorer family and will be dearly missed.”

NBAE/Getty Images

Just like his famous son, Joe was a renowned basketball player himself. Drafted by the Golden State Warriors as the 14th overall pick in the 1975 NBA draft, he played for the Philadelphia 76ers for four seasons, the then-San Diego Clippers for three seasons, and the Houston Rockets for one season. He also played in Europe.

The 76ers paid tribute to Joe, calling him “a local basketball icon, whose legacy on the court transcended his journey across Bartram High School, La Salle University, and his first four NBA seasons with the 76ers from 1975-79.”

Joe’s sudden passing comes four years after the tragic death of his son Kobe and his granddaughter Gianna, who were killed in a helicopter crash with seven other people.

John W. McDonough /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images

Kobe’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, wrote on her Instagram story on Tuesday, “Sending our condolences upon hearing the news of my father-in-law’s passing.

“We hoped things would’ve been different. Although the times we spent together were few, he was always sweet and nice to be around. Kobe loved him very much.”

Former Kobe teammate Doug Young praised Joe as the ideal “role model.”

“Joe was our JV coach at Lower Merion and I could not have asked for a more positive mentor, teacher, and role model,” Young told ESPN. “It’s difficult to overstate how much he influenced me and my teammates. He made basketball fun and made us all want to be better; he believed in us. I’ll never forget his infectious smile, his bear hugs and the incredible bond he shared with Kobe. Growing up in Lower Merion, there was no family we loved and admired more than the Bryants, and that started with Joe.”

Bob Rosato /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images

Arn Tellem, the vice chairman of the Pistons and formerly Kobe Bryant’s agent, expressed his sadness over the loss of Joe and joined the basketball community in mourning a true Philly hoops legend. “Our friendship opened the door for me to represent Kobe as he entered the NBA, a memory I’ll always cherish. Joe was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, whose warmth touched everyone he met.”

May he rest in peace.

Please SHARE this article with your family and friends on Facebook.

Related Posts

Sleeping On Your Left Side Affects Your Health In Ways You Would Have Never Thought.

Your sleeping position can significantly impact your health. Among the various positions, sleeping on your left side offers notable benefits. Here’s how: Prevents Nighttime Heartburn: For those with acid reflux…

Read more

A Teacher…

A teacher noticed that a little boy at the back of the class was squirming around, scratching his crotch, and not paying attention. She went back to find out what…

Read more

If you ever catch a man with one painted fingernail, here’s what it means

Elliot Costello’s encounter with a young girl named Thea in Cambodia sparked a movement to combat child sexual abuse. Thea, a survivor of abuse, painted one of Elliot’s fingernails during…

Read more

Delivery Driver Takes a Tumble – Hilariously Asks For Surveillance Footage.

There are various job roles that may entail safety hazards. A prime illustration is the occupation of a courier, who frequently lifts heavy parcels, encounters domestic animals, and navigates unfamiliar…

Read more

They took her phone, but what..

A woman lost her life in a head-on collision on a US highway moments after updating her status and posting selfies on Facebook. Courtney Sanford, 32, posted “The happy song…

Read more

Everyone can see the leaves – but you need 20/20 vision & high IQ to spot the rattlesnake in 7 seconds…

SPOTTING the dark leaves is easy, but can you outsmart everyone and find the hidden rattlesnake in this optical illusion? Time to put your vision skills and IQ to the…

Read more

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *