La Salle University Athletics mourns the passing of Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, a legendary figure in men’s basketball, who died on Monday morning. Bryant, the father of NBA great Kobe Bryant, was a standout player at La Salle from 1973 to 1975. He played a pivotal role on the 1975 East Coast Conference Championship team, securing a spot for the Explorers in the NCAA Tournament.

John Cox, Bryant’s nephew and assistant coach for La Salle men’s basketball, expressed deep sorrow over the loss, noting Bryant’s significant impact on Philadelphia’s basketball community and his personal admiration for him.

As a two-time First Team All-Big 5 honoree in 1974 and 1975, Bryant led La Salle to a remarkable 22-7 record in 1975, including a Sugar Bowl Classic Championship where he was named MVP. That season, the team reached No. 7 in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll, marking La Salle’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1968. Bryant ranks among the top ten in several La Salle career records, including rebounding average, scoring average, and field goal percentage.

During his brief tenure with the Explorers, the 6-9 forward scored 1,188 points. His achievements earned him NABC All-District honors in 1974 and 1975, before being selected 14th overall by the Golden State Warriors in the 1975 NBA Draft and later joining the Philadelphia 76ers.

Bryant played eight seasons in the NBA, including stints with the Philadelphia 76ers and the San Diego Clippers. He concluded his professional career with the Houston Rockets and then played professionally in Europe for nine years. After retiring as a player, Bryant pursued coaching, including roles with the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA.

In 1981, Bryant was honored with induction into the Big 5 Hall of Fame for his contributions to basketball.