Kobe Bryant’s dad Joe dies aged 69, four years after his son’s tragic death in a helicopter crash
The basketball world is in mourning after Joe Bryant, Kobe Bryant’s father, tragically passed away at the age of 69.
Bryant, a 6-foot-1 forward, enjoyed a long football career, playing for the 76ers, Clippers and Rockets.
His death comes four and a half years after his son – then just 41 – and granddaughter Gigi, 13, were killed in a helicopter crash.
He also worked as a coach for decades, serving with teams in the United States, Japan and Thailand.
According to the Philadelphia researcherJoe Bryant, nicknamed “Jellybean” for his sweet tooth, recently suffered a massive stroke.
Joe was selected in the first round of the 1975 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors, but a few months later the team sold his rights to Philadelphia.
The forward played four seasons with his hometown team, helping the 76ers reach the NBA Finals in 1977.
He later moved to Europe, where he played for teams in both Italy and France. Bryant began his coaching career with the girls’ basketball team at Akiba Hebrew Academy, a small school near Philadelphia.
However, he was soon on the road again, playing for teams in Las Vegas, Boston, Los Angeles, Tokyo and Bangkok.
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