It was announced on Tuesday morning that former NBA player Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant, the father of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, has passed away at the age of 69. No official cause of death was revealed, though LaSalle head coach Fran Dunphy revealed that Bryant had recently suffered a massive stroke.
While Bryant is most known for his playing days, both in the NBA and overseas, he also got into coaching later in life, even serving as a coach for the Los Angeles Sparks. The Sparks are partially owned by another Lakers legend in Magic Johnson, who was hurt at the news of Bryant’s passing.
Johnson took to social media upon hearing the news, saying he was devastated, praising Joe Bryant as a player and a coach while giving his condolences to the Bryant family:
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
Joe Bryant was a Philadelphia basketball legend, growing up in the area and playing his college ball at LaSalle before spending his first four NBA seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers. He undoubtedly crossed paths with Magic on the court during his NBA career, but the relationship between them likely grew following Kobe joining the Lakers franchise and again, when he worked with the Sparks.
There is a real brotherhood within the NBA and its players and losing one always hurts on a number of levels. The Bryant family has obviously dealt with major tragedy and now has taken another loss to a member of their family.
Joe Bryant is survived by his wife Pam, his daughters Sharia and Shaya and his grandchildren.
Candace Parker training Lakers legend Kobe Bryant’s daughter Bianka
Basketball runs in the blood of the Bryant family and that seems to be continuing on with Kobe Bryant’s daughter Bianka Bryant. Of course, Kobe and Gianna connected through their love for the game and perhaps it will live on now through Bianka, who is getting some training from one of the best to ever do it.
Los Angeles Sparks legend, and one of the greatest women’s basketball players ever, Candace Parker shared a picture of her working with Bianka and getting her shooting form right. The seven-year old had proper form and perhaps will continue on with her basketball journey with some of the best help possible.
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