In a tragic turn of events, Joe Bryant, the father of the late NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, has sadly passed away at the age of 69. The news of his death was confirmed by La Salle University's athletics department.

According to reports, Bryant had recently suffered a stroke, as mentioned by La Salle men's head basketball coach Fran Dunphy. However, the cause of his death has not been officially confirmed by the university.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Joe Bryant gained the nickname "Jellybean" and notably played for La Salle from 1973 to 1975. He was later drafted by the Golden State Warriors as the 14th overall pick in the 1975 NBA draft. Throughout his career, he played for the Philadelphia 76ers for four seasons, the then-San Diego Clippers for three seasons, and the Houston Rockets for one season. He also ventured into professional basketball in Europe, specifically in Italy.

After retiring as a player, Joe Bryant joined La Salle's coaching staff from 1993 to 1996, leaving a lasting impact on the university's basketball program. The basketball community mourns his loss as he was a beloved member of the explorer family, as expressed in a post from La Salle men's basketball X account.

The Philadelphia 76ers also paid tribute to the local basketball icon, acknowledging his significant contributions to the team during his first four NBA seasons from 1975 to 1979. The 76ers extended their condolences to the Bryant family during this difficult time.

This tragic event imparts another blow to the Bryant family, who had already experienced an immense loss earlier this year. Kobe Bryant, along with his daughter Gianna Bryant, and seven other individuals, tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash in California back in January 2020. Kobe, a basketball legend, was only 41 years old.

The basketball world mourns, deeply saddened by the passing of Joe Bryant. He will be remembered for his basketball accomplishments, his contributions to the sport, and most importantly, as a beloved father and family member.