 The father of NBA legend Kobe Bryant has passed away. Joe Jellybean Bryant, the father of late basketball Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, has died, according to his alma mater, LaSalle University. Bryant, who spent eight seasons in the NBA with three different franchises, was 69. Citing LaSalle coach Fran Dunphy, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Joe Bryant recently had a massive stroke. He was the number 14 pick by Golden State in the 1975 draft.