Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, the father of the late Basketball Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, has died at the age of 69, La Salle University’s athletics department reported.
Citing La Salle men’s head basketball coach Fran Dunphy, The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote Joe had recently suffered a stoke. The exact cause of death hasn’t been confirmed yet.
La Salle University, where Joe played and coached, said in a statement that he “was a beloved member of the Explorer family and will be dearly missed.”
Just like his famous son, Joe was a renowned basketball player himself. Drafted by the Golden State Warriors as the 14th overall pick in the 1975 NBA draft, 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 played in Europe.
The 76ers paid tribute to Joe, calling him “a local basketball icon, whose legacy on the court transcended his journey across Bartram High School, La Salle University, and his first four NBA seasons with the 76ers from 1975-79.”
Joe’s sudden passing comes four years after the tragic death of his son Kobe and his granddaughter Gianna, who were killed in a helicopter crash with seven other people.
Kobe’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, wrote on her Instagram story on Tuesday, “Sending our condolences upon hearing the news of my father-in-law’s passing.
“We hoped things would’ve been different. Although the times we spent together were few, he was always sweet and nice to be around. Kobe loved him very much.”
Former Kobe teammate Doug Young praised Joe as the ideal “role model.”
“Joe was our JV coach at Lower Merion and I could not have asked for a more positive mentor, teacher, and role model,” Young told ESPN. “It’s difficult to overstate how much he influenced me and my teammates. He made basketball fun and made us all want to be better; he believed in us. I’ll never forget his infectious smile, his bear hugs and the incredible bond he shared with Kobe. Growing up in Lower Merion, there was no family we loved and admired more than the Bryants, and that started with Joe.”
Arn Tellem, the vice chairman of the Pistons and formerly Kobe Bryant’s agent, expressed his sadness over the loss of Joe and joined the basketball community in mourning a true Philly hoops legend. “Our friendship opened the door for me to represent Kobe as he entered the NBA, a memory I’ll always cherish. Joe was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, whose warmth touched everyone he met.”
May he rest in peace.
One of the most legendary French actresses is now over 80, and you won’t believe how she looks today!
Born in Paris on October 22, 1943, Catherine Deneuve is a renowned figure in French cinema. It made sense for her to follow in her parents’ footsteps, given both of them are actors.
Her big break came when she played Geneviève Emery in The Umbrellas of Cherbourg in 1964, captivating viewers. She exhibited an amazing ability to strike a balance between strength and tenderness in this performance.
Over the course of her storied career, Deneuve has worked with renowned directors such as Luis Buñuel on Belle de Jour and Roman Polanski on Repulsion, where her portrayal of Séverine achieved legendary status.
Over her sixty-year career, she has won two César Awards for Best Actress: for Le Dernier Métro in 1980 and for Indochine in 1992, which won an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.
Deneuve is still making a name for herself in the movie business, even at her advanced age. Notable performances include The Truth (2019). She is well-known for her support of women’s rights and freedom of expression in addition to her acting career.
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