Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, Father of Kobe Bryant, Dies at 66
Victor Mather
Joe Bryant, a standout college basketball player and a pro in the United States and Europe, has died at 66.
Bryant, a forward known as "Jellybean," had been the head coach of the Las Vegas Aces, formerly the Los Angeles Sparks, of the WNBA. No cause of death was immediately announced.
Bryant was a standout at La Salle University, where he was the team's leading scorer three times. He was drafted in the first round by the Golden State Warriors in 1975 and played 10 seasons in the NBA with the Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, San Diego Clippers, and Houston Rockets.
Bryant also played in Italy, France, and Japan. He returned to the United States in 2005 to coach the Sparks, leading them to the WNBA championship in 2006. He was fired in 2007 but returned in 2011 to finish out the season.
Bryant is survived by his wife, Pam, and their three daughters. His son, Kobe, died in a helicopter crash in 2020.
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