Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, the father of Kobe Bryant has died at age 69. Bryant, who was a first round draft pick of the Golden State Warriors recently suffered a massive stroke according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. He also played for the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Houston Rockets.

After a stint playing ball overseas in Italy and France, Bryant returned to the states and accepted a coaching job at La Salle University, his Alma mater. He would later lead the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks from 2005-2007, and in 2011.