Photo Credit: John W. McDonough /Sports Illustrated via Getty
Joe Bryant, father of the late NBA legend Kobe Bryant and a former basketball star himself, has passed away at 69. According to La Salle University head coach Fran Dunphy, Joe recently suffered a massive stroke, as reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer. Joe's basketball journey began at La
Salle and Bartram High School, leading to multiple seasons in the NBA.
La Salle confirmed his passing on X, stating, "We are saddened to announce the passing of La Salle basketball great Joe Bryant. Joe played for the Explorers from 1973-75 and was a member of our coaching staff from 1993-96. He was a beloved member of the Explorer family and will be dearly missed."
Joe's son Kobe Bryant and granddaughter Gianna tragically died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, in January 2020. Kobe was 41, and Gianna was just 13.
After graduating from La Salle, Joe was selected in the first round of the 1975 NBA draft by the Golden State Warriors. However, he never played for them, as his rights were sold to his hometown Philadelphia 76ers four months later. Joe played eight seasons in the NBA, with the 76ers, San Diego Clippers, and Houston Rockets, before continuing his career overseas in Italy and France. The Bryant family returned to the U.S. when Kobe was 13, settling in the Philadelphia area, where Kobe's illustrious high school career at Lower Merion began.
Post his playing days, Joe transitioned into coaching, both internationally and domestically, including a one-year stint as head coach for the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks. Joe and his wife Pam Bryant are also survived by their two daughters, Sharia and Shaya.
