La Salle University Athletics is deeply saddened by the passing of Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, an iconic figure in men’s basketball, who passed away early Monday morning. Bryant, renowned as the father of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, left an indelible mark at La Salle from 1973 to 1975, notably leading the team to the 1975 East Coast Conference Championship and securing their entry into the NCAA Tournament.

John Cox, Bryant’s nephew and a current assistant coach for La Salle men’s basketball, expressed profound sadness at the loss, highlighting Bryant’s profound influence on Philadelphia’s basketball landscape and his personal role model status.

Bryant’s stellar performance earned him consecutive First Team All-Big 5 honors in 1974 and 1975, propelling La Salle to a standout 22-7 record in 1975, capped by his MVP performance at the Sugar Bowl Classic. That season, the team ascended to No. 7 in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll, marking La Salle’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1968. Bryant remains a fixture in La Salle’s record books, ranking in the top ten for career rebounding average, scoring average, and field goal percentage.

During his brief stint with the Explorers, the 6-9 forward amassed 1,188 points. His achievements garnered him NABC All-District honors in 1974 and 1975, leading to his selection as the 14th overall pick by the Golden State Warriors in the 1975 NBA Draft, later joining his hometown Philadelphia 76ers.

Bryant’s NBA career spanned eight seasons, including notable roles with the Philadelphia 76ers and the San Diego Clippers. He concluded his playing days with the Houston Rockets before embarking on a successful nine-year stint playing professionally in Europe. Post-retirement, Bryant transitioned to coaching, including notable tenures with the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA.

Recognized for his enduring contributions to basketball, Bryant was enshrined in the Big 5 Hall of Fame in 1981. His legacy at La Salle and beyond will be cherished for generations to come.