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

Is Jack Smith Really Leaving His Post? Here’s What We Know So Far!

Following a night of pivotal wins across key battleground states, Donald Trump’s path back to the White House appears certain. As election results rolled in, states like…

Your blood sugar is super high if you feel pain in any of the following body parts

As per Healthline, your body is designed in a way that separates the glucose (sugar) your body makes into energy. In this way, you get the energy…

13 People Whose Misfortunes Could Fill a Best-Selling Horror

You don’t have to look for creepy tales to feel uneasy; sometimes life gives its own chills. While some eerie incidents may be explained, others defy logic…

Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with Jennifer Garner during this difficult time of loss.

It’s been a rough few years for Jennifer Garner, especially with the divorce from Ben Affleck, but this was a real tragedy… William Garner, the 85-year-old father…

“Letitia James Issues Warning to Trump in Press Conference: ‘We Have a Contingency Plan'”

New York Attorney General Letitia James delivered an unhinged press conference in which she appeared to thr.ea.ten President-Elect Trump after his historic victory on Tuesday night. “So…

Unhinged Obama Rails At Trump After Successful MSG Rally

Former President Barack Obama nearly came unhinged on Monday as he railed at former President Donald Trump following his highly successful rally on Saturday at Madison Square…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.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