Former NBA player Joe Bryant, The father of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant has died. He was 69.
La Salle head coach Fran Dunphy said The Philadelphia Inquirer On Tuesday, Bryant passed away after recently suffering a massive stroke. His death comes more than four years after his son and granddaughter, Gigi, were tragically killed in a helicopter crash in Southern California on January 26, 2020.
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers hugs his father Joe Bryant after their victory against the Utah Jazz in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals at EnergySolutions Arena on May 8, 2010, in Salt Lake City. (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Seven other people on board also died in the accident.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
La salle university, where Joe Bryant played and eventually returned as an assistant coach in 1993, confirmed the news on social media.
The Lakers' Kobe Bryant poses for a photo with his father, Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, after winning the NBA Championship on June 19, 2000, at Staples Center in Los Angeles. (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
“We are saddened to announce the passing of La Salle basketball great Joe Bryant,” read the statement posted on X. “Joe played for the Explorers from 1973-75 and was a member of our coaching staff from 1993-96. He was a beloved member of the Explorer family and will be deeply missed.”
SHAQ MAKES A BIG DISTINCTION IN THE BEST HITTER DEBATE BETWEEN LEBRON JAMES, MICHAEL JORDAN AND KOBE BRYANT
Bryant was selected by the Golden State Warriors with the 14th overall pick in the 1975 NBA Draft. He played eight seasons in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ersthe San Diego Clippers and the Houston Rockets.
In the NBA he averaged 8.7 points, four rebounds and two assists per game. He then had an important basketball career abroad, but in the early 90s he devoted himself to teaching.
Joe Bryant of the Philadelphia 76ers during a Washington Bullets game at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland, circa 1976. Bryant played for the Sixers from 1975 to 1979. (Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Byrant also served as head coach at the WNBA, Head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks from 2005 to 2007.
Follow Fox News Digital Sports coverage on Xand subscribe to The Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
