Philadelphia / Los Angeles, United States — Joe Washington “Joe” Bryant, better known throughout the basketball world by his affectionate nickname “Jellybean,” passed away on July 15, 2024 at the age of 69.
His death was announced publicly on July 16, 2024, and while no official cause of death was formally confirmed, multiple reputable news outlets reported that Bryant had recently suffered a major stroke before his passing.
A beloved figure in the basketball community both for his own accomplishments and for his influence on others, Bryant’s career spanned play as an NBA professional, international stints abroad, and decades of coaching across multiple countries and levels of the sport.
He was also the father of the late Kobe Bryant, one of the most iconic players in NBA history.
In the wake of his death, tributes poured in from former teammates, coaches, broadcasters, and basketball fans worldwide — underscoring Joe Bryant’s deep and lasting impact on the sport.
Early Life and Rise in Basketball
Joe Bryant was born on October 19, 1954, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He grew up immersed in the city’s rich basketball culture, honing his skills on neighborhood courts and quickly becoming a standout player in his youth.
Bryant attended John Bartram High School in Philadelphia, where his size, agility, and scoring ability helped put him on the radar of college scouts.
After high school, he continued his basketball journey at La Salle University, playing for the La Salle Explorers from 1973 to 1975.
In his time with the Explorers, Bryant became one of the team’s most prolific scorers, averaging strong numbers and leaving a legacy as one of the school’s most memorable players.
NBA Career: From Draft Night to Eight Seasons in the League
Joe Bryant’s talents translated to the professional level quickly. In the 1975 NBA Draft, he was selected in the first round with the 14th overall pick by the Golden State Warriors.
However, before playing a game for Golden State, his rights were traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, bringing him back to his hometown as a pro player.
Standing 6‑foot‑10 and playing primarily as a power forward, Bryant carved out an eight‑year NBA career. He competed with three teams during his time in the league:
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Philadelphia 76ers (1975–1979)
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San Diego Clippers (1979–1981)
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Houston Rockets (1981–1982)
Across 606 NBA games, Bryant averaged approximately 8.7 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, demonstrating a reliable presence on the court and a professional versatility that kept him in demand throughout his tenure.
One of the pinnacle moments of his NBA career came during his tenure with the 76ers when the team reached the NBA Finals in the 1976–77 season, ultimately falling to the Portland Trail Blazers.
While Bryant was not a star player, he remained a respected contributor on competitive teams and earned admiration for his work ethic and team‑first mindset.
International Play and the Growth of His Career Abroad
After concluding his NBA career in the early 1980s, Joe Bryant continued playing professionally overseas — a path followed by many American players seeking opportunities in Europe and beyond.
Over the course of nearly a decade abroad, Bryant played for several teams in Italy and France, including:
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AMG Sebastiani Rieti (Italy)
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Standa Reggio Calabria (Italy)
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Olimpia Pistoia (Italy)
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Reggiana (Italy)
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Mulhouse (France)
These years broadened Bryant’s basketball horizons and allowed him to cultivate a deeper understanding of global basketball styles and cultures.
While playing overseas, his family often accompanied him, and it was in Italy that his children — including Kobe — spent part of their formative years, learning the game and developing a love for it.
Family Life and Personal Background
Bryant married Pamela Cox in 1975, and the couple remained together for nearly five decades. They had three children:
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Kobe Bryant, who became one of the greatest players in NBA history
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Sharia Bryant, their eldest daughter
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Shaya Bryant, another daughter
Joe and Pam raised their family in the Catholic tradition, and their commitment to family and faith was frequently noted by those who knew them.
While Joe and Kobe’s relationship had periods of distance and complexity as the son’s career exploded, it was rooted in deep respect and shared passion for basketball — something that Kobe often credited his father for teaching him long before NBA fame.
The Bryant household was an early basketball incubator, and Kobe regularly spoke about the lessons his father taught him — from fundamentals and preparation to the mental aspects of the game.
In a 2010 interview, Kobe told ESPN that his father had “a great basketball mind” and played a vital role in shaping how he approached the sport.
Coaching and Basketball Legacy After Playing Days
When his playing days concluded, Bryant transitioned into coaching — a role that he embraced with the same intensity he applied to playing. His coaching career included stints at both the youth and professional levels, spanning multiple continents:
Early Coaching Roles
Bryant began coaching soon after retiring as a player, taking his first role at Akiba Hebrew Academy in Pennsylvania in 1992–1993, where he led the girls’ basketball team.
He later returned to his alma mater, La Salle University, as an assistant coach from 1993–1996.
International and Semi‑Pro Coaching
Bryant’s coaching journey also included positions in various leagues around the world. He served as head coach for teams in:
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Japan’s professional leagues, including Levanga Hokkaido
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ASEAN Basketball League, coaching the Bangkok Cobras
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Thai basketball teams, including the Chang Thailand Slammers
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Rizing Fukuoka in Japan
These roles allowed him to mentor players from diverse backgrounds, share his basketball philosophy, and contribute to the global growth of the game.
WNBA: Los Angeles Sparks
Perhaps Bryant’s most high‑profile coaching position came in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), where he served as head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks.
Bryant led the Sparks from 2005 to 2007, guiding the team to competitive seasons, including a trip to the Conference Finals in 2006 during his second year. He later returned for part of the 2011 season.
His temperament, passion, and experience earned him respect from players and fellow coaches alike, and former NBA great Magic Johnson publicly praised Bryant’s coaching ability and personal warmth following his passing.
Later Life, Reflection, and Quiet Public Presence
In the years following Kobe Bryant’s tragic death in a helicopter crash in January 2020 — which also claimed the life of Kobe’s daughter, Gianna, and seven others — Joe Bryant withdrew from the public spotlight.
The loss of his son and granddaughter was profoundly felt throughout the basketball world and was a deeply personal blow to the entire Bryant family.
Despite his diminished public appearances, Joe “Jellybean” Bryant remained an influential figure behind the scenes — a guiding presence to players, coaches, and family alike.
His legacy continued through the countless players he coached, the professional athletes he inspired, and the next generation of ballplayers who grew up studying his and Kobe’s careers.
Tributes and Reactions After His Passing
News of Bryant’s death prompted an outpouring of tributes from teams, former teammates, and basketball communities across the globe.
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La Salle University, where Bryant starred and later coached, said in an official statement that he “was a beloved member of the Explorer family and will be dearly missed.”
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The Philadelphia 76ers — where Bryant began his NBA journey — called him “a local basketball icon” whose legacy extended from high school to college to the pros.
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Former colleagues and friends remembered him for his infectious smile, dedication to youth development, and deep love for the game.
Vanessa Bryant, the widow of Kobe Bryant, also issued a heartfelt message after Joe’s death. She expressed condolences to his family and acknowledged that despite their limited interactions in later years, he had always been kind and was deeply loved by Kobe.
Legacy: More Than a Player, More Than a Coach
Joe “Jellybean” Bryant’s life was defined by dedication to basketball, devotion to family, and the impact he made wherever he went.
As a player, he was a dependable NBA forward who competed at the highest levels. As a coach, he led and mentored players across continents. And as a father, he helped raise one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
His influence on basketball — from Philadelphia’s local courts to international arenas — is enduring, and his legacy lives on through the generations of players, coaches, and fans who continue to celebrate his contributions to the sport.
