Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, the father of the late Basketball Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, has passed away at 69, as reported by La Salle University’s athletics department.
According to La Salle men’s head basketball coach Fran Dunphy, The Philadelphia Inquirer noted that Joe had recently suffered a stroke, although the exact cause of death has not been confirmed.
La Salle University, where Joe both played and coached, released a statement saying he “was a beloved member of the Explorer family and will be dearly missed.”
Joe was an accomplished basketball player in his own right, having been drafted as the 14th overall pick by the Golden State Warriors in the 1975 NBA draft. He played four seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers, three seasons with the San Diego Clippers, and one season with the Houston Rockets, in addition to his time playing in Europe.
The 76ers honored Joe as “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.”
His sudden passing comes four years after the tragic deaths of his son Kobe and granddaughter Gianna, who were killed in a helicopter crash alongside seven others.
Kobe’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, shared her condolences on Instagram, saying, “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.”
Doug Young, a former teammate of Kobe, praised Joe as the perfect 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 inspired us all 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, vice chairman of the Pistons and formerly Kobe’s agent, expressed his sorrow over Joe’s passing and joined the basketball community in mourning a true Philadelphia 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.
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Jennifer Lopez Snaps Selfies and Poses on Bow of a Boat in Italy During Solo Summer Vacation
Amidst marital difficulty, the singer has been enjoying a holiday overseas sans husband Ben Affleck.
People, grab your sun hats because Jennifer Lopez is having the time of her life while on a summer vacation by herself in the gorgeous countryside of Italy! Jenny from the Block is out here taking selfies and enjoying the Mediterranean sun, so forget about the drama, marital problems, and rumor mill that never stops spinning.
Jennifer Lopez is vacationing in Italy and is truly living the good life! On Thursday, the 54-year-old Atlas star was spotted relaxing topside on a Mediterranean yacht with pals. Oh yes, my dear reader, she was living the high life as she made her way down a rocky beach pathway (not a single Instagram filter in site!) to get on a tiny dinghy that would take her to her floating paradise.
Imagine J. Lo sporting a gorgeous little woven purse, matching heels (because why not? ), gold accessories, and a white one-piece swimsuit. She was sitting on the chairs, taking pictures of herself and posing as though she ruled the Mediterranean.
It’s more than just a lighthearted spectacle. Lopez postponed her concert tour, according to Live Nation, on May 31 in order to spend more time with her kids, relatives, and close friends. How about putting the important things first? Affleck is currently in the United States, managing their seven children and focusing on his most recent endeavor, The Accountant 2.
Her trips around Italy are now legendary. Lopez is a holiday pro, from sun-kissed days on yachts to glitzy evenings in Milan. She was spotted showing off her abs only last Tuesday while sporting a cream-colored bandeau top and matching shorts. Italy truly knows how to make a girl feel special!
It’s not her first time to Italy, either. The celebrity has long been a fan of the nation, praising its charm and attraction in a number of interviews. Among her famous Italian adventures include her 2022 honeymoon with Affleck, which included trips to Milan and Lake Como, and a 52nd birthday celebration on a boat off the Amalfi Coast.
What could possibly top a picture-perfect vacation snapshot? Just a friendly reminder that you can subscribe to PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up to date on all these celebrity scandals and amazing vacations. Who doesn’t enjoy hearing about celebrities on a daily basis?
Lopez seems to be in a lyrical relationship with Italy. She waxed poetic in a 2023 interview with Travel + Leisure about the significant influence her summertime adventures in Italy had on her.
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