The Bryant family is suffering another tremendous loss.
Kobe Bryant’s father, Joe Bryant, had died after suffering a stroke, La Salle University head coach Fran Dunphy confirmed, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported July 16. He was 69.
The Los Angeles Lakers legend’s father was an NBA star himself and played as a forward for the Philadelphia 76ers, the San Diego Clippers—now the Los Angeles Clippers—and the Houston Rockets. He later transitioned into coaching, helming teams overseas as well as the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks from 2005 to 2007.
At 6 foot 9 inches, Joe—who was also nicknamed “Jelly Bean” for his sweet tooth—was a first round pick for the Golden State Warriors in 1975, before having his rights swiftly sold to the 76ers four months later. After eight seasons in the NBA, he transitioned into overseas ball and primarily played in Italy before settling down with his family in Philadelphia.
In addition to Kobe, Joe fathered daughters Sharia and Shaya—Kobe’s elder sisters—with his wife Pamela Bryant.
After Kobe rose to fame, his relationship with both Joe and his mother Pamela was somewhat strained leading up to his 2020 death—largely due to Pamela and Joe selling Kobe’s memorabilia without his consent, as reported by the Los Angeles Times in 2012.
Neither Joe nor Pamela attended Kobe’s 2001 wedding to wife Vanessa Bryant. Joe also never made a public statement following the tragic helicopter crash that took the lives of Kobe—who was 41—and his then-13-year-old daughter Gianna, as well as seven others.
Still, Kobe—who also shared daughters Natalia, 21, Bianka, 7, and Capri, 5 with Vanessa—once shared valuable advice he received from his father after playing poorly during a tournament early on in his basketball career.
“My father gave me a hug and said, 'Listen, whether you score 0 or you score 60, I'm gonna love you no matter what, '” Kobe recalled on The School of Greatness podcast in 2018. “That is the most important thing that you can say to a child. Because from there, I was like, 'Okay.' That gives me all the confidence in the world to fail. I have the security there.”
As he put it, his father’s words were encouraging throughout his career.
“I just went to work,” he added. “I just stayed with it. And I kept practicing. Kept practicing. Kept practicing."
Keep reading for a look at the Bryant family's sweetest moments together.
Family Portrait
The basketball star posed with his parents Joe Bryant and Pamela Bryant after winning the NBA Championship on June 19, 2000.
Father-Son Moment
The duo were all smiles while posing for a portrait in November 2000.
Baby On-the-Way
Vanessa showed off her baby bump at the 2019 Baby2Baby Gala in Los Angeles.
Birthdays
"Happy Birthday B.B. I Can't believe you are 3 already!" Kobe wrote on Instagram back in December 2019. "We love you little mamacita."
Pool Time
"My Bianka Bella Bryant (BBB)," Kobe wrote on Instagram back in November 2019.
Thanksgiving
"Happy Thanksgiving! Thankful for my family!" Kobe wrote via Instagram back in November 2019.
Halloween
The Bryants dressed up as characters from The Wizard of Oz back in October 2019.
"My Gigi"
"My Gigi," Kobe wrote on Instagram back in September 2019.
Love & Basketball
The father-daughter duo sat courtside at the the Lakers vs Mavericks game at the Staples Center in 2019.
Lots of Hugs
"@vanessabryant surprised me by bringing our two little babies B.B and KoKo to my @granity book signing of #legacyandthequeen at @barnesandnoble," the caption of the September 2019 post read.
Mother's Day
"Happy Mother's Day @vanessabryant we love you and thank you for all that you do for our family," Kobe wrote on Instagram back in May 2019, about a month before Capri's birth. "You are the foundation of all that we hold dear. I love you #mybaby #lioness #mamabear #queenmamba."
A Father-Daughter Duo
"Had a great trip to @uconnwbb for senior night and the retirement of basketball legend @promise50 with my baby Gigi," Kobe wrote on Instagram in March 2019. "Thank you Gampel, Thank you Coach Geno and Cd for the warm welcome. Good luck the rest of the way."
Basketball Buddies
Kobe and Gianna Bryant shared a special moment at a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Atlanta Hawks.
Family Fun
Vanessa, Kobe, Natalia and Gianna attended the world premiere of A Wrinkle in Time in Los Angeles back in 2018.
Smiles in the Sunshine
"Surprise family trip to Cabo for my bday #bryantbunch #40 #queenmamba #mambacitas," the caption of the 2018 post read.
Fond Memories
Kobe and his family members attended a women's basketball game in Los Angeles back in 2017.
An Unforgettable Moment
Kobe was all smiles as he posed with his family members during his jersey retirement ceremony in 2017. Magic Johnson was also there.
A Dad and His Daughters
Kobe attended the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports Awards with Vanessa, Gianna and Natalia in 2016.
A Loving Family
Here, the family members were pictured at the Tribeca Film Festival.
All Smiles
Bryant celebrated his major win with his daughter Gianna by his side.
Hugs and Kisses
Warming up! The basketball icon got a sweet hug from his daughter ahead of his game at the NBA All-Star Game in 2016.
A Proud Father
Kobe's wife and daughters attended his hand and footprint ceremony in Hollywood, California back in 2011.
A Day at Disney
Kobe, his wife and their daughters celebrated the Lakers' NBA championship at Disneyland in 2010.
A Winning Team
The basketball star celebrated a Lakers victory with Vanessa and the kids at a parade in Los Angeles back in 2009.
"Daddy's Little Princesses"
During a 2017 interview with Extra, Kobe referred to his daughters as "Daddy's little princesses." Here, he was pictured with Vanessa and Natalia in 2007.
The Mamba Legacy Continues
Vanessa Bryant shared a sweet photo of her and Kobe's youngest daughter, 6-year-old Capri Kobe Bryant, 6, following in his athletic footsteps.