Kobe Bryant‘s dad, Joe Bryant, has died at the age of 69. The exact date of his passing is unknown at this time. La Salle University head coach Fran Dunphy told the Philadelphia Inquirer that Joe recently suffered a massive stroke.
La Salle went on to announce Joe’s death on X. Joe’s impressive basketball career began at Bartram High School, continued at La Salle, and ultimately lead to the NBA. Joe then guided Kobe on a similar journey.
The Bryant family moved back to the United States when Kobe was 13 years old. Joe remained involved with basketball after retiring from playing. He turned to coaching. Kobe began his impressive high school basketball career at Lower Merion.|The Bryant family moved back to the United States when Kobe was 13 years old. Joe remained involved with basketball after retiring from playing. He turned to coaching. Kobe began his impressive high school basketball career at Lower Merion.
Kobe’s tragic death predated his father’s. On January 26, 2020, Kobe and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. Kobe was age 41 when he died.|Kobe’s tragic death predated his father’s. On January 26, 2020, Kobe and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. Kobe was age 41 when he died.
While Joe and Kobe certainly shared a love of basketball, their relationship was rocky at times. Joe and his wife Pamela clashed with Kobe over money issues and his marriage to Vanessa. Joe leaves behind Pam, his daughters Sharia and Shaya, and his grandchildren.|While Joe and Kobe certainly shared a love of basketball, their relationship was rocky at times. Joe and his wife Pamela clashed with Kobe over money issues and his marriage to Vanessa. Joe leaves behind Pam, his daughters Sharia and Shaya, and his grandchildren.
