A Beloved Figure In The World Of Basketball

Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, Former NBA Player and Father of Kobe Bryant, Dies

A Beloved Figure in the World of Basketball

Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, the father of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, has passed away at the age of 65. An accomplished basketball player in his own right, Joe Bryant played professionally in the United States and Europe. He later became a successful coach, leading the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks to a championship in 2006.

A Legacy of Success

Joe Bryant's basketball career spanned over two decades. He played college basketball at La Salle University, where he was a two-time All-American. After college, he was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers and went on to play for several NBA teams, including the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, and San Diego Clippers. In addition to his NBA career, Joe Bryant also played professionally in Italy and France.

After retiring from playing, Joe Bryant began his coaching career. He served as the head coach of the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks from 2005 to 2007 and again in 2011. Under his leadership, the Sparks won the WNBA championship in 2006. Joe Bryant also coached the Tokyo Apache basketball team in Japan from 2007 to 2010.

A Father's Love and Guidance

Beyond his successful basketball career, Joe Bryant was best known as the father of Kobe Bryant. He played a pivotal role in his son's development as a basketball player and was a constant source of support and guidance. Joe Bryant's legacy will continue to live on through his son's accomplishments and the countless lives he touched in the world of basketball.