Former NBA forward Joe Bryant, nicknamed “Jellybean,” has reportedly passed away at the age of 69 due to “a massive stroke,” according to Mike Sielski of The Philadelphia Inquirer. News of Bryant’s death comes over four years after the tragic death of his son, Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.
Joe Bryant, former NBA player and father of Kobe Bryant, has passed away at the age of 69, per @PhillyInquirer pic.twitter.com/shNzzUg9JO
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 16, 2024
8-Year NBA Forward Joe Bryant Dies at 69
Joe Bryant’s NBA Career
The Philadelphia native was drafted by the Golden State Warriors with the No. 14 pick in the 1975 NBA Draft. However, the team traded him to the Philadelphia 76ers before he appeared in a game for them. Bryant spent the first four seasons of his career with the 76ers. During this time, he averaged 6.4 points and 3.7 rebounds per game while shooting 42.2% from the field. In 1977, Bryant played a small role in the 76ers’ NBA Finals run, appearing in all six games of the series. However, the team went on to lose to Bill Walton‘s Portland Trail Blazers.
In 1979, the 76ers traded Bryant to the San Diego Clippers for a 1986 first-round pick. This pick eventually became the No. 1 pick in the draft, Brad Daugherty. Bryant played three seasons for the Clippers and took on a much larger role than he did with Philadelphia. During this time, the La Salle alum averaged 10.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game.
Despite playing solid basketball for the team, the Clippers traded Bryant to the Houston Rockets in 1982. Bryant played just one season for the team, his last in the NBA. During the 1982-83 season, he averaged 10 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. Bryant would go on to play overseas basketball in Italy and France from 1983 to 1992.
In total, the former first-round pick appeared in 606 NBA games. During his career, Bryant averaged 8.7 points, 4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game.
Following his playing career, Bryant took on a coaching career. Most notably, he had a short stint as head coach for the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks.
Basketball World Reacts to Joe Bryant’s Death
I’m devastated to hear about the loss of my friend Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, the father of Kobe Bryant. Joe was not only a talented basketball player; he was also a great coach. A lot of people don’t know that he coached the LA Sparks in 2005, 2006, and 2011! Joe was an exceptional… pic.twitter.com/BOZDg35YYi
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) July 16, 2024
We are saddened to announce the passing of La Salle basketball great Joe Bryant.
Joe played for the Explorers from 1973-75 and was a member of our coaching staff from 1993-96. He was a beloved member of the Explorer family and will be dearly missed. pic.twitter.com/A3sgZzVkkt
— La Salle Men’s Basketball (@LaSalle_MBB) July 16, 2024
RIP Joe “Jellybean” Bryant 🕊️
Joe Bryant’s legacy lives on through the impact he had on basketball and his family. A talented player in his own right, he passed down his passion and skills to his son Kobe, helping shape one of the greatest to ever play the game.
Our thoughts… pic.twitter.com/r8VRKmEBDv
— All the Smoke Productions (@allthesmokeprod) July 16, 2024
