Joe Bryant Biography: Wife, Age, Children, Net Worth, NBA Career, Death

Joseph Washington “Joe” Bryant, commonly known as Jellybean, was an American professional basketball player and coach, best known for his eight-year NBA career and as the father of NBA legend Kobe Bryant.

Born on October 19, 1954, he played as a power forward for teams like the Philadelphia 76ers, San Diego Clippers, and Houston Rockets, showcasing a versatile game in the 1970s and 1980s.

After retiring as a player, Bryant coached in various leagues, including the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks and international teams in Italy, Japan, and Thailand.

Profile

• Full Name: Joseph Washington Bryant
• Stage Name: Joe Bryant
• Born: October 19, 1954
• Died: 15 July 2024
• Age: 60 years old
• Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Basketball Player, Basketball Coach
• Height: 2.08 m
• Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Bryant
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Pamela Cox Bryant (m. 1975)
• Children: Sharia Bryant, Shaya Bryant, Kobe Bryant
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $5 million

Early Life and Education

Joseph Washington Bryant was born on October 19, 1954, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to parents whose names are not publicly documented. Information about his siblings is also unavailable.

Growing up in Philadelphia, he developed a passion for basketball, starring at John Bartram High School, where he earned the nickname “Jellybean” for his love of the candy. He attended La Salle University, playing college basketball for the Explorers from 1973 to 1975, where he averaged 20.3 points and 11.1 rebounds per game.

His ethnicity was African-American, and his religion was Christianity.

Career

Joe began his professional basketball career after being selected 14th overall by the Golden State Warriors in the 1975 NBA Draft, though his rights were traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. Debuting in the 1975–76 season, he played four seasons with the 76ers, including their 1977 NBA Finals run, averaging 6.4 points over 239 games.

In 1979, he joined the San Diego Clippers, where he had his best NBA season in 1980–81, averaging 11.6 points and 5.4 rebounds. His NBA tenure ended with the Houston Rockets in 1983 after 606 games, averaging 8.7 points and 4.0 rebounds overall.

After the NBA, Bryant played professionally in Europe, primarily in Italy with teams like AMG Sebastiani Rieti and Standa Reggio Calabria from 1983 to 1991, and briefly in France with Mulhouse in 1991–92. He transitioned to coaching in 1992, starting as an assistant at La Salle University.

His coaching career spanned the U.S. Army team at Fort Lee, Virginia, and Akiba Hebrew Academy. In 2003, he became head coach of the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks, leading them to a 25–9 record in 2005 and a playoff appearance, though he was replaced in 2007 after a 10–17 start.

Bryant’s later coaching career took him abroad, where he led teams in Japan (Tokyo Apache, 2008–10), Thailand (Bangkok Cobras, 2012–13), and Italy (Rieti, 2014–15). He coached in Malaysia with the NS Matrix Deers in 2015 before his sudden death from a heart attack on July 15, 2015.

His influence extended through his son Kobe, whom he coached in youth basketball and mentored during his rise to NBA stardom. Bryant’s global coaching stints and dedication to the sport left a lasting impact on basketball communities worldwide.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @awaydayjoe

Personal Life

Joe married Pamela Cox Bryant, sister of NBA player John “Chubby” Cox, in 1975. They had three children: Sharia, Shaya, and Kobe, born in 1978.

The family lived in Italy during Joe’s playing years, exposing young Kobe to international basketball culture. Joe and Kobe had a complex relationship, strained at times by Kobe’s career decisions, but they reconciled before Joe’s death.

Unfortunately, he died on 15 July 2024 at the age of 69 years.

Net Worth

Joe had an estimated net worth of $5 million USD at the time of his death in 2015. His wealth was primarily earned through his NBA playing career with the 76ers, Clippers, and Rockets, followed by lucrative contracts in European leagues, particularly in Italy.