(Philadelphia) Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, the father of Kobe Bryant, has died, his alma mater announced Tuesday.
Bryant, who played for three different teams in eight NBA seasons, was 69. Philadelphia Inquirerciting La Salle University head coach Fran Dunphy, reported that Joe Bryant died of a massive stroke.
“We are saddened to announce the passing of La Salle basketball great Joe Bryant,” the institution said in a statement. “Joe played for the Explorers from 1973-75 and was a member of our coaching staff from 1993-96. He was a valued member of the Explorer family and will be greatly missed.”
Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others died in a January 2020 helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, while the group was en route to a basketball tournament.