Joe Bryant
![]() Bryant coaching Levanga Hokkaido in 2010 | |
Personal information | |
---|---|
Born | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | October 19, 1954
Died | July 15, 2024 | (aged 69)
Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
Listed weight | 185 lb (84 kg) |
Career information | |
High school | John Bartram (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) |
College | La Salle (1973–1975) |
NBA draft | 1975: 1st round, 14th overall pick |
Selected by the Golden State Warriors | |
Playing career | 1975–1991 |
Position | Power forward, small forward |
Number | 23, 22 |
Coaching career | 1992–2015 |
Career history | |
As player: | |
1975–1979 | Philadelphia 76ers |
1979–1982 | San Diego Clippers |
1982–1983 | Houston Rockets |
1983–1986 | AMG Sebastiani Rieti |
1986–1987 | Standa Reggio Calabria |
1987–1989 | Olimpia Pistoia |
1989–1991 | Reggiana |
1991 | Mulhouse |
As coach: | |
1992–1993 | Akiba Hebrew Academy |
1993–1996 | La Salle (assistant) |
2003–2004 | Las Vegas Rattlers |
2004–2005 | Boston Frenzy |
2005–2007 | Los Angeles Sparks |
2007–2009 | Tokyo Apache |
2010–2011 | Levanga Hokkaido |
2011 | Los Angeles Sparks |
2012 | Bangkok Cobras |
2013 | Chang Thailand Slammers |
2014–2015 | Rizing Fukuoka |
Career NBA statistics | |
Points | 5,252 (8.7 ppg) |
Rebounds | 2,441 (4.0 rpg) |
Assists | 1,049 (1.7 apg) |
Stats at NBA.com | |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
Joseph Washington "Jellybean" Bryant (October 19, 1954 – July 15, 2024) was an American professional basketball player and coach. He played for the Philadelphia 76ers, San Diego Clippers, and Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He also played for several teams in Italy and one in France. Bryant was the head coach of the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks from 2005 to 2007[1] and returned to that position for the remainder of the 2011 WNBA season. Bryant also coached in Japan and Thailand. His son, basketball player Kobe Bryant, was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Professional career
[edit]Philadelphia 76ers (1975–1979)
[edit]After starring at La Salle University, he was drafted by the Golden State Warriors but traded to his hometown team, the Philadelphia 76ers, where he played for four seasons.[2] In his second season, on the 1976–77 76ers, he played alongside NBA all-stars Julius Erving, Doug Collins, and George McGinnis. The team reached the 1977 NBA Finals, eventually losing to the Portland Trail Blazers, 4 games to 2.[3]
San Diego Clippers (1979–1982)
[edit]Before the 1979–1980 season, the Sixers traded Bryant to the San Diego Clippers,[4][5] where he spent three seasons.[4] In the first game of the 1979–1980 season, played at home against the Los Angeles Lakers, Bryant memorably had a slam dunk over center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.[4]
Houston Rockets (1982–1983)
[edit]Following the 1981 season, Bryant was traded to the Houston Rockets, where he played one season, his last in the NBA.[4]
Europe (1983–1992)
[edit]Bryant played overseas in Italy and France from 1982 to 1992, playing for Italian teams Sebastiani Rieti, Standa Reggio Calabria, Olimpia Pistoia, and Reggiana; and French team Mulhouse.[6] He ended his playing career in 1992.[7]
Coaching career
[edit]Akiba Hebrew Academy (1992–1993)
[edit]Bryant's first coaching position, after returning from Europe, was when he was deployed with the U.S. Armed Forces in Italy. In the 1992–1993 season, he served as the head coach of the women's varsity team at Akiba Hebrew Academy in Lower Merion, Pennsylvania.[8][4]
La Salle Explorers (1993–1996)
[edit]In June 1993, he left Akiba and accepted an assistant coach position at his alma mater, La Salle University.[9] On May 7, 1996, Bryant resigned from La Salle after his son Kobe announced his intentions to enter the NBA out of high school.[10]
SlamBall and ABA coach (2003–2005)
[edit]Bryant served as coach for the Diablos during the 2003[11] season of SlamBall.[12]
From 2003 to 2005, Bryant also coached two ABA teams, the Las Vegas Rattlers and the Boston Frenzy.[6]
Los Angeles Sparks (2005–2007, 2011)
[edit]On August 17, 2005, Bryant, who was an assistant coach for the WNBA team Los Angeles Sparks,[13] was named the head coach, succeeding previous coach (and former 76ers teammate) Henry Bibby.[14] During the 2006 season, he led the Sparks to a 25–9 record and a Conference Finals berth. In April 2007, Bryant was replaced as Sparks head coach by Michael Cooper, who had previously helmed the team in 1999–2004.[1]
In 2011, Bryant returned to the Sparks, first as an assistant coach, but later as the head coach for the rest of the 2011 season.[13][4]
International coaching career (2007–2015)
[edit]Bryant coached the Tokyo Apache of the Japanese bj league from 2007 to 2009.[15]
On July 3, 2009, Bryant signed a contract with Italian club Sebastiani Rieti, whom he had played for.[16] However, the contract fell through, due to the team's move to Naples.[15]
Bryant served as the head coach of Japanese professional basketball team Levanga Hokkaido during the 2010–2011 JBL season.[15]
In January 2012, Bryant was hired as coach of the Bangkok Cobras in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL). He coached for the 2012 season.[17][15] Bryant also coached for the Chang Thailand Slammers in 2013.[15]
Bryant coached Rizing Fukuoka of the bj League from 2014 to 2015.[15][18]
Career playing statistics
[edit]GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
NBA
[edit]Source[19]
Regular season
[edit]Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1975–76 | Philadelphia | 75 | 3 | 16.0 | .422 | .626 | 3.7 | .8 | .6 | .3 | 7.4 | |
1976–77 | Philadelphia | 61 | 0 | 10.0 | .446 | .757 | 1.9 | .8 | .6 | .2 | 4.4 | |
1977–78 | Philadelphia | 81 | 0 | 15.3 | .436 | .771 | 3.5 | 1.6 | .7 | .3 | 6.1 | |
1978–79 | Philadelphia | 70 | 0 | 15.2 | .429 | .724 | 3.7 | 1.5 | .7 | .1 | 7.6 | |
1979–80 | San Diego | 81 | 28.7 | .431 | .147 | .742 | 6.4 | 1.8 | 1.3 | .5 | 9.3 | |
1980–81 | San Diego | 82 | 28.8 | .479 | .133 | .791 | 5.4 | 2.3 | .9 | .4 | 11.6 | |
1981–82 | San Diego | 75 | 49 | 26.5 | .486 | .267 | .785 | 3.7 | 2.5 | 1.0 | .4 | 11.8 |
1982–83 | Houston | 81 | 56 | 25.4 | .448 | .222 | .703 | 3.4 | 2.3 | 1.0 | .4 | 10.0 |
Career | 606 | 108 | 21.2 | .450 | .200 | .743 | 4.0 | 1.7 | .9 | .3 | 8.7 |
Playoffs
[edit]Year | Team | GP | MPG | FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1976 | Philadelphia | 3 | 14.3 | .750 | .714 | 4.3 | .3 | .3 | .3 | 7.7 |
1977 | Philadelphia | 10 | 7.4 | .387 | .625 | 1.5 | .7 | .6 | .2 | 2.9 |
1978 | Philadelphia | 10 | 12.2 | .447 | .727 | 2.5 | .9 | .6 | .1 | 5.0 |
1979 | Philadelphia | 7 | 5.0 | .385 | .500 | .1 | .6 | .1 | .0 | 3.0 |
Career | 30 | 9.1 | .448 | .679 | 1.8 | .7 | .5 | .1 | 4.1 |
Head coaching record
[edit]Regular season | G | Games coached | W | Games won | L | Games lost | W–L % | Win–loss % |
Playoffs | PG | Playoff games | PW | Playoff wins | PL | Playoff losses | PW–L % | Playoff win–loss % |
WNBA
[edit]Team | Year | G | W | L | W–L% | Finish | PG | PW | PL | PW–L% | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Los Angeles Sparks | 2005 | 6 | 4 | 2 | .667 | 4th in Western | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 | Lost Conference Semifinals |
Los Angeles Sparks | 2006 | 34 | 25 | 9 | .735 | 1st in Western | 5 | 2 | 3 | .400 | Lost Conference Finals |
Los Angeles Sparks | 2011 | 24 | 11 | 13 | .458 | 5th in Western | – | – | – | – | – |
Source:[20]
Japan
[edit]This section needs additional citations for verification. (July 2024) |
Team | Year | G | W | L | W–L% | Finish | PG | PW | PL | PW–L% | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tokyo Apache | 2005–2006 | 40 | 20 | 20 | .500 | 3rd | – | – | – | – | Lost semifinals |
Tokyo Apache | 2006–2007 | 40 | 12 | 28 | .300 | 8th | – | – | – | – | – |
Tokyo Apache | 2008–2009 | 52 | 33 | 19 | .635 | 2nd in Eastern | 4 | 3 | 1 | .750 | Runners-up |
Rera Kamuy Hokkaido | 2010–2011 | 22 | 6 | 16 | .273 | Fired | – | – | – | – | – |
Rizing Fukuoka | 2014–2015 | 32 | 9 | 23 | .281 | 9th in Western | – | – | – | – | – |
Source:[21]
Personal life and death
[edit]In 1975, Bryant married Pam Cox, sister of former NBA player Chubby Cox.[22] Their son, Kobe, was also an NBA player, who was subsequently inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Kobe died in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020, alongside his 13-year-old daughter (Joe's granddaughter) Gianna.[23] Bryant also had two daughters, Sharia and Shaya. The family is Catholic.[24] Through his wife Pam, he was the uncle-in-law of professional basketball player John Cox IV.[22]
Bryant died on July 15, 2024,[25] at the age of 69.[2] While no official cause of death was announced,[26] The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Bryant had recently suffered a major stroke.[27]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "ESPN.com – WNBA – Bryant out, Cooper Back in as Sparks Coach". ESPN.
- ^ a b Jennings, Danielle; Mazziotta, Julie (July 16, 2024). "Joe Bryant, Father of NBA Icon Kobe Bryant, Dies at 69 After Stroke". People. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
- ^ "1976-77 Philadelphia 76ers Roster and Stats". Basketball Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Herbert, James (July 16, 2024). "Joe Bryant dies at 69: Kobe Bryant's father starred at La Salle, played eight NBA seasons before coaching". CBS Sports.
- ^ Bryant was traded for what eventually turned out to be the first pick in the 1986 NBA draft, although prior to the draft the 76ers traded the pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers, who selected Brad Daugherty.
- ^ a b Kirschenbaum, Alex (July 16, 2024). "Joe 'Jellybean' Bryant, Longtime NBA Vet and Father to Kobe Bryant, Dead at 69". Newsweek.
- ^ Cavallier, Andrea (July 16, 2024). "Kobe Bryant's dad Joe dies aged 69". Yahoo! News.
- ^ Charry, Rob (February 27, 2004). "Coach Bryant? Akiba Once Led by Kobe's Dad". The Forward. The Forward. Retrieved March 24, 2009.
- ^ "Bryant Returns to LaSalle as Assistant". Philadelphia Daily News. Philadelphia Daily News. June 24, 1993.
- ^ "Bryant Quits La Salle Job". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 8, 1996. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
- ^ "Lakers' Magic Johnson 'devastated' after death of Kobe Bryant's father". ClutchPoints. July 16, 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
- ^ "Lakers News: Joe 'Jellybean' Bryant, Father of Kobe, Passes Away at Age 69". Sports Illustrated. July 16, 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
- ^ a b "Joe Bryant elevated to head coach of the Sparks". Los Angeles Sentinel. July 14, 2011. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
- ^ "Bibby finishes 13–15 in short stint as Sparks coach". ESPN. August 17, 2005. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Mario García Martín (February 18, 2015). "Joe Bryant, padre de Kobe, se busca la vida en Japón". Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved July 17, 2024.
- ^ Maffioli, Luca (July 3, 2009). "Joe Bryant nuovo coach di Rieti" (in Italian). Sport Blog. Archived from the original on September 27, 2010. Retrieved July 4, 2009.
- ^ Bangkok team hires Kobe’s dad Archived January 13, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Bryant out as Rizing Fukuoka coach
- ^ "Joe Bryant NBA stats". Basketball Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
- ^ "Joe Bryant WNBA Coaching Record". basketball-reference. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
- ^ Joe Bryant basketball profile
- ^ a b Stevens, Eric (March 4, 2005). "Talent Runs in the Family". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
- ^ Winton, Richard; Woike, Dan (January 26, 2020). "Kobe Bryant is killed in helicopter crash in Calabasas". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
- ^ Gleeson, Scott. "Kobe Bryant, 'man of faith,' attended Mass with his family morning of helicopter crash". USA TODAY. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
- ^ Sielski, Mike (July 16, 2024). "Philly hoops great Joe Bryant, father of NBA legend Kobe, has died". www.inquirer.com. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
- ^ "'Jellybean' Bryant, father of Kobe, dies at age 69". ESPN.com. July 16, 2024. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
- ^ Sielski, Mike (July 16, 2024). "Philly hoops great Joe Bryant, father of NBA legend Kobe, has died". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
External links
[edit]- 1954 births
- 2024 deaths
- African-American basketball coaches
- American Basketball Association (2000–present) coaches
- American expatriate basketball people in France
- American expatriate basketball people in Italy
- American expatriate basketball people in Japan
- American expatriate basketball people in Thailand
- American men's basketball players
- AMG Sebastiani Basket players
- Basketball coaches from Pennsylvania
- Basketball players from Philadelphia
- Bryant family
- Catholics from Pennsylvania
- Centers (basketball)
- FC Mulhouse Basket players
- Golden State Warriors draft picks
- Houston Rockets players
- John Bartram High School alumni
- La Salle Explorers men's basketball coaches
- La Salle Explorers men's basketball players
- Levanga Hokkaido coaches
- Los Angeles Sparks head coaches
- Olimpia Basket Pistoia players
- Pallacanestro Reggiana players
- Philadelphia 76ers players
- Power forwards
- Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka coaches
- San Diego Clippers players
- Small forwards
- Sportspeople from Philadelphia
- Tokyo Apache coaches
- Viola Reggio Calabria players
- African-American Catholics