Joe Bryant Cause of Death, What Happened to Joe Bryant?
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Updated Jul 17, 2024
Joe Bryant Cause of Death
Joe Bryant, father of Kobe Bryant and former NBA player, passed away at 69 after suffering a stroke. He played basketball at La Salle University and in the NBA for teams like the Philadelphia 76ers and the San Diego Clippers. Bryant also played in Europe, notably in Italy, and later coached at La Salle.
Known as "Jellybean," he was a cherished member of the basketball community, leaving a lasting impact. His death, confirmed by La Salle University, has deeply saddened those who admired his contributions to the sport and his community.
Who was Joe Bryant?
Joseph Washington "Jellybean" Bryant was an American professional basketball player and coach. He played in the NBA for teams like the Philadelphia 76ers, San Diego Clippers, and Houston Rockets. Bryant also had stints playing basketball in Italy and France. He later coached the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks from 2005 to 2007 and returned briefly in 2011. Bryant coached in various countries including Italy, Japan, and Thailand.
Full Name | Joseph Washington "Jellybean" Bryant |
Born | October 19, 1954 |
Died | July 16, 2024 |
Age | 69 |
Nationality | American |
Occupation | Basketball Player, Coach |
Achievements | Coached in the WNBA, various international leagues |
Family | Father of Kobe Bryant, husband of Pamela Bryant |
Joe Bryant Age
Joe Bryant was born on October 19, 1954, and he passed away on July 16, 2024, at the age of 69. After excelling at La Salle University, Joe Bryant was selected by the Golden State Warriors in the NBA draft, but he was quickly traded to his hometown team, the Philadelphia 76ers. He played there for four seasons, including a notable year in 1976–77 when he joined stars like Julius Erving, Doug Collins, and George McGinnis.
Joe Bryant Career
Joe Bryant began his coaching career after playing basketball in Europe and serving with the U.S. Armed Forces in Italy. He started coaching at Akiba Hebrew Academy in Pennsylvania for the women's varsity team in 1992–1993. Moving to La Salle University in 1993 as an assistant coach, Bryant later resigned in 1996 when his son Kobe entered the NBA.
He coached SlamBall's Diablos in 2003 before joining the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks as head coach from 2005 to 2007, returning briefly in 2011. Bryant also coached internationally, including stints in Japan with Tokyo Apache and Levanga Hokkaido, Italy's Sebastiani Rieti, and Thailand's Bangkok Cobras.
What Happened to Joe Bryant?
Joe Bryant, father of Kobe Bryant and former NBA player, passed away on July 15, 2024, after recently suffering a massive stroke. Bryant also played professionally in Europe and coached basketball after retiring. His stroke, reported by La Salle University head coach Fran Dunphy, ultimately led to his death at the age of 69.
How Did Joe Bryant Die?
Joe Bryant, father of Kobe Bryant and former NBA player, passed away at 69 after suffering a massive stroke. He played basketball at La Salle University and in the NBA for teams like the Philadelphia 76ers and San Diego Clippers. Bryant also played professionally in Europe and coached after his playing career. His recent stroke led to his death, confirmed by La Salle University, where he was remembered as a cherished member of their basketball family.