Joe Bryant biography: 13 things about basketball player born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Who was Joe Bryant?

Joseph Washington “Jellybean” Bryant was an American professional basketball player and coach born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. He played for the National Basketball Association teams Philadelphia 76ers, San Diego Clippers and Houston Rockets.

Bryant was 6’9″ tall. Here are 13 more things about him:

1. From 1973 to 1975, he attended La Salle University in Philadelphia.
2. In 1975, he married Pamela “Pam” Cox Bryant.
3. From 1975 to 1979, he played for the Philadelphia 76ers.
4. On August 23, 1978, Cox gave birth to their son Kobe Bryant in Philadelphia.
5. From 1979 to 1982, he played for the San Diego Clippers.
6. From 1982 to 1983, he played for the Houston Rockets.
7. From 1983 to 1991, he played for the Italian teams Sebastiani Rieti, Standa Reggio Calabria, Olimpia Pistoia and Reggiana and the French team Mulhouse.
8. On December 31, 1986, his grandmother Georgia Bentley Bryant died in Philadelphia at age 75.
9. From 1992 to 2015, he coached various men’s and women’s basketball teams not only in the U.S. but also in other countries including Japan and Thailand.
10. On February 13, 2005, his father Joseph Washington Bryant Jr. died in Philadelphia at age 75.
11. On January 26, 2020, his son Kobe and Kobe’s daughter Gianna Bryant died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, USA.
12. On October 19, 2023, he turned 69.
13. On July 15, 2024, he passed away.