Kobe Bryant and Joe Bryant (Image Source: X/SaycheeseDGTL)
The basketball community is in mourning today following the news of Joe Bryant’s passing at the age of 69. Joe Bryant, the father of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, was a former professional basketball player himself, leaving a significant mark on the sport and his son’s illustrious career.

According to La Salle University head coach Fran Dunphy, Joe had a severe stroke lately, as reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer. This comes more than four years after Bryant’s son and granddaughter, Gigi, perished in a helicopter accident in California on Jan. 26, 2020.

Joe played multiple NBA seasons after playing basketball at La Salle and Bartram High School. He was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in 1975 after graduating. The California team sold his rights to his hometown, the Philadelphia 76ers, only four months after the draft.

Joe spent eight seasons in the NBA with the 76ers, the San Diego Clippers, and the Rockets before playing in Italy and France. Bryant’s family moved back to the U.S. when he was 13. They settled back in the Philadelphia area, and Kobe went on to have a famous high school career at Lower Merion.

After retiring from playing, Joe spent a year as the Los Angeles Sparks’ head coach. Joe and his wife, Pam Bryant, have daughters Sharia and Shaya, along with Kobe.

Fans Reacted on Joe Bryant’s Death News

Fans are struggling to process the tragic news of another loss in the Bryant family. It’s hard to believe that such heartbreak has struck the Bryant household again so soon.

One fan wrote, “He is now with his son.” 

Another fan, onetimecards, thanked Joe, saying, “RIP, thank you for creating an amazing basketball player.”

Someone else called him a king, commenting, “RIP king 👑,” while another added, “RIP Legend.”

JBond tweeted, “RIP to Kobe’s dad. It’s sad they couldn’t resolve their issues before they both left this world 😔.”

While the other fan was in pure shock, “RIP Jellybean! Damn!”