Kobe Bryant’s father, Joe Bryant, passed away at the age of 69

At the age of 69, Joe Bryant, the father of NBA legend Kobe Bryant and a former basketball player, passed away. Bryant just had a significant stroke, according to a Tuesday story from The Philadelphia Inquirer.

A 6-foot-9 forward who made an impact on the basketball world, Joe Bryant was nicknamed “Jellybean” because of his fondness for the delicacy. Before joining the NBA, he was a standout student at La Salle and Bartram High School in Philadelphia. Bryant played for the Philadelphia 76ers after being selected by the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the 1975 NBA Draft. He played for the Sixers for four seasons, including their NBA Finals run in 1976–1977.

Following his tenure with the Houston Rockets, Bryant enjoyed success as a player across Europe, especially in Italy. Afterwards, the Bryant family moved back to the Philadelphia region and settled in Wynnewood.

Throughout his early years and Lower Merion high school experience, Joe Bryant was close to Kobe. But when Kobe started his Hall of Fame career with the Los Angeles Lakers, their relationship deteriorated.

Joe Bryant passed away on January 26, 2020—four and a half years after the catastrophic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Kobe, his daughter Gigi, and seven other people. Joe Bryant will always be remembered for his contributions to basketball and for his impact on Kobe, despite their disputes.