Kobe Bryant and Joe Bryant (Image Source: X/SaycheeseDGTL)
The basketball community is in mourning today following the news of Joe Bryant’s passing at the age of 69. Joe Bryant, the father of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, was a former professional basketball player himself, leaving a significant mark on the sport and his son’s illustrious career.
According to La Salle University head coach Fran Dunphy, Joe had a severe stroke lately, as reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer. This comes more than four years after Bryant’s son and granddaughter, Gigi, perished in a helicopter accident in California on Jan. 26, 2020.
Kobe’s father Joe Bryant has passed away at the age of 69. 🕊️🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/linWwsPIza
— SAY CHEESE! 👄🧀 (@SaycheeseDGTL) July 16, 2024
Joe played multiple NBA seasons after playing basketball at La Salle and Bartram High School. He was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in 1975 after graduating. The California team sold his rights to his hometown, the Philadelphia 76ers, only four months after the draft.
Joe spent eight seasons in the NBA with the 76ers, the San Diego Clippers, and the Rockets before playing in Italy and France. Bryant’s family moved back to the U.S. when he was 13. They settled back in the Philadelphia area, and Kobe went on to have a famous high school career at Lower Merion.
After retiring from playing, Joe spent a year as the Los Angeles Sparks’ head coach. Joe and his wife, Pam Bryant, have daughters Sharia and Shaya, along with Kobe.
Fans Reacted on Joe Bryant’s Death News
Fans are struggling to process the tragic news of another loss in the Bryant family. It’s hard to believe that such heartbreak has struck the Bryant household again so soon.
One fan wrote, “He is now with his son.”
Another fan, onetimecards, thanked Joe, saying, “RIP, thank you for creating an amazing basketball player.”
Joe Bryant, former NBA player and father of Kobe Bryant, has passed away at the age of 69, per @PhillyInquirer pic.twitter.com/shNzzUg9JO
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 16, 2024
Someone else called him a king, commenting, “RIP king 👑,” while another added, “RIP Legend.”
JBond tweeted, “RIP to Kobe’s dad. It’s sad they couldn’t resolve their issues before they both left this world 😔.”
While the other fan was in pure shock, “RIP Jellybean! Damn!”
“Got His Name in My Phone as Uncle Mike”- NBA Champion Jayson Tatum Shares Insights on His Bond With Michael Jordan
Jayson Tatum, Michael Jordan (Image source Getty Images and 7 PM in Brooklyn/Youtube)
Jayson Tatum, a five-time NBA All-Star, gave back-to-back dominating performances for the Boston Celtics in the 2023-24 NBA season that led his team to clinch their 18th title. Tatum got no rest in the offseason as the 26-year-old forward was selected to play for Team USA in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Tatum is one of many athletes who have signed contracts with the legendary player Michael Jordan’s brand. The five-time NBA All-Star spoke about his relationship with Jordan during a recent podcast episode at 7 PM in Brooklyn. Tatum recounted a moment when he called Jordan to ask, “What is it like being in the Finals?” During their conversation, Tatum asked Jordan about his experience playing in the NBA Finals, and they had a long discussion that day.
“We’ve been locked in, and that’s another person that I would text, I will call. I remember that right before my first time going to the Finals, we got to San Francisco, and I called him. I was like, ‘Yo, like, how’s this going to be like? What is it like being in the Finals? ‘What should I expect? We talked for a long time, and he’s somebody who will text me after games and whatever. I got his name on my phone, and it was Uncle Mike, so that’s my man.” Tatum said.
Tatum’s Unforgettable First Encounter with the Jordan Brand
Tatum joined the Jordan brand in 2019, and the legendary player’s brand released Tatum’s first shoe in 2023. The 2024 NBA champion recalled his first introduction to the Jordan brand. Tatum further explained his state of mind when meeting the legend, mentioning that he was nervous and sweating a lot during their encounter.
“This was back in 2019 when we were in Paris. That’s when I first got introduced to the brand. It’s when I first signed with him. We were at an event, and there were a bunch of media members out there. He was on the mic, and he called me out. We took a photo, and he was like, we just signed Jayson Tatum. That was crazy.” Tatum added.
