Vanessa Bryant has released a statement about Kobe Bryant’s father, Joe “Jellybean” Bryant’s passing.
“Sending our condolences upon hearing the news of my father in law’s passing,” Vanessa wrote on Instagram. “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. Our prayers go out to family.”
Vanessa Bryant on Joe Bryant’s passing: pic.twitter.com/Y1FeTDpFgd
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 16, 2024
Joe Bryant, father of Kobe Bryant and former eight-year NBA veteran, died at 69.
According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, Bryant recently had a massive stroke. Kobe Bryant and Joe’s granddaughter Gigi preceded him in death from a Jan. 2020 helicopter crash.
Joe Bryant, nicknamed Jelly Bean, was the 1972 Pennsylvania Public League Player of the Year in 1972 averaging 20 points and 11 rebounds in two seasons at La Salle. He would go on to be a first-round pick for the Golden State Warriors in 1975 before moving on to the Philadelphia 76ers and playing for the team that made the 1977 NBA Finals.
Bryant would move on to European ball after the 1982-83 season, followed by the raising and introduction of his son Kobe, who had a star career at Lower Merion High School.