Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, the father of the late Basketball Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, has passed away at 69, as reported by La Salle University’s athletics department.
According to La Salle men’s head basketball coach Fran Dunphy, The Philadelphia Inquirer noted that Joe had recently suffered a stroke, although the exact cause of death has not been confirmed.
La Salle University, where Joe both played and coached, released a statement saying he “was a beloved member of the Explorer family and will be dearly missed.”
Joe was an accomplished basketball player in his own right, having been drafted as the 14th overall pick by the Golden State Warriors in the 1975 NBA draft. He played four seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers, three seasons with the San Diego Clippers, and one season with the Houston Rockets, in addition to his time playing in Europe.
The 76ers honored Joe as “a local basketball icon, whose legacy on the court transcended his journey across Bartram High School, La Salle University, and his first four NBA seasons with the 76ers from 1975-79.”
His sudden passing comes four years after the tragic deaths of his son Kobe and granddaughter Gianna, who were killed in a helicopter crash alongside seven others.
Kobe’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, shared her condolences on Instagram, saying, “We hoped things would’ve been different. Although the times we spent together were few, he was always sweet and nice to be around. Kobe loved him very much.”
Doug Young, a former teammate of Kobe, praised Joe as the perfect role model. “Joe was our JV coach at Lower Merion, and I could not have asked for a more positive mentor, teacher, and role model,” Young told ESPN. “It’s difficult to overstate how much he influenced me and my teammates. He made basketball fun and inspired us all to be better; he believed in us. I’ll never forget his infectious smile, his bear hugs, and the incredible bond he shared with Kobe. Growing up in Lower Merion, there was no family we loved and admired more than the Bryants, and that started with Joe.”
Arn Tellem, vice chairman of the Pistons and formerly Kobe’s agent, expressed his sorrow over Joe’s passing and joined the basketball community in mourning a true Philadelphia hoops legend. “Our friendship opened the door for me to represent Kobe as he entered the NBA, a memory I’ll always cherish. Joe was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, whose warmth touched everyone he met.”
May he rest in peace.
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Elvis Presley’s Grandson Takes the Stage and Shows His Talent
Dakota Striplin made a daring assertion on “The Voice,” implying he might be the grandchild of the late, great Elvis Presley, in the thrilling world of talent competitions. Dakota mesmerized the judges and audience with her soul-stirring performance of “Love Me Tender,” bringing back memories of Elvis with every note. With just his guitar for accompaniment, he gave a captivating and stirring performance.
The first judge was clearly captivated as Dakota’s ethereal voice filled the room; she turned her chair in appreciation and put her hand over her heart. Not long later, an additional judge, captivated by his captivating aura and remarkable voice, quickly turned around, anxious to discover the origin of this exquisite performance.
The judges questioned him about his song selection and sources of musical inspiration after his performance. Dakota spoke movingly about his family’s relationship with Elvis, describing his grandmother’s happy recollections of seeing him perform. He teased the judges with a funny joke about having a family link to the King of Rock and Roll, which made them laugh and joke about how much they looked alike.
Dakota added to the mystery by talking about other enigmatic parts of his ancestry, such as a major DNA discovery that raised questions about his confirmed pedigree and suggested a possible connection to Elvis Presley.
Experience Dakota Striplin’s captivating performance and fascinating background by watching the entire film below.
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