The basketball community is in mourning following the tragic death of Joe Bryant, the father of the late NBA legend Kobe Bryant.

In his own right, Joe Bryant was a former professional player known for his stature towing at 6ft 10.

The legend has passed away at the age of 69. His passing came four years after the loss of his son Kobe Bryant then 41 and his granddaughter Giana Bryant, 13.

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Joe Bryant and basketball 

Joe Bryant, affectionately nicknamed “Jellybean” due to his sweet tooth, had a notable playing career with the Philadelphia 76ers, San Diego Clippers, and Houston Rockets.

After retiring from playing, he dedicated decades to coaching and working with teams in the United States, Japan, and Thailand.

His focus on the sport left a lasting impact on many young athletes and teams worldwide shaping the course of basketball for generations.

According to information shared by the family, Joe recently suffered a massive stroke.

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Joe and Kobe’s strained relationship 

However, it was no secret that Joe and Kobe had a strained relationship as Kobe built his Hall of Fame career with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Despite being at odds with his son Kobe, Joe never spoke publicly about his son’s death.

Kobe and Gianna Bryant died in January 2020, along with seven others, when their helicopter crashed in Calabasas, California.

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They were traveling from John Wayne Airport near their home in Newport Beach to Kobe’s Mamba Basketball Academy in Thousand Oaks when the tragic accident occurred.

The passing of Joe Bryant is a significant loss to the basketball community, marking the end of an era for a family deeply intertwined with the sport.

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