Joe Bryant, Father of Kobe Bryant, Has Died at Age 69

Kobe Bryant poses with his father, Joe Bryant, at a baseball game. | John W. McDonough/Sports Illustrated

Joe Bryant, the father of the late Kobe Bryant, has died at age 69, The Philadelphia Inquirer announced on Tuesday. Bryant recently suffered a massive stroke.

Before his son became an NBA legend, Bryant, affectionately known as "Jellybean," was also a basketball star during his high school days in the Philadelphia area. He played for John Bartram High School and La Salle College High School.