Kobe Bryant’s Father, Joe Bryant, Dies at 69

Joe Bryant, the father of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, has passed away at the age of 69.

La Salle head coach Fran Dunphy informed Mike Sielski of the Philadelphia Inquirer on Tuesday that Bryant had recently suffered a massive stroke.

Much like his iconic son, Joe Bryant had a distinguished career in professional basketball. He was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in the first round in 1975. However, the Warriors sold Bryant’s rights to his hometown team, the Philadelphia 76ers, four months later. Bryant went on to spend four seasons with the 76ers.

The La Salle star also had stints with the San Diego Clippers and Houston Rockets during his eight seasons in the NBA.

After his NBA career, Bryant found success playing professionally in Europe, spending a considerable part of his career in Italy. This period in Italy was significant for Kobe, as he spent much of his childhood there before the family moved back to Philadelphia.

Joe Bryant’s career extended into coaching after he hung up his playing sneakers. He notably served as the head coach for the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks from 2005 to 2007.

Joe and Kobe’s mother, Pam, had a complex relationship with the Lakers star over the years. Some of the discord stemmed from Kobe’s decision to marry his wife, Vanessa, at a young age. Although the Hall of Famer eventually reconciled with his parents after the birth of his first daughter, Natalia, their relationship hit another rough patch in 2013 over a public dispute regarding memorabilia.

In the years leading up to Kobe’s untimely death, there were signs that he had mended fences with his parents.

Tragically, Kobe, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven other individuals lost their lives in a horrific helicopter crash in January 2020.

Joe and Pam Bryant also have two other children — Kobe’s older sisters, Sharia and Shaya.

Joe Bryant’s passing marks the end of an era for a family that has had a significant impact on the world of basketball.

Source: Larry Brown Sports