Late NBA Legend Kobe Bryant's Father Dead At Age 69

Kobe Bryant's father, Joe Bryant, has died four years after the tragic loss of his son and granddaughter.

According to a recent report, the former basketball star took his breath at 69 due to health reasons. His death marks the end of a legendary life and NBA career that created one of the greatest athletes ever.

Joe Bryant was the father of late basketball icon Kobe Bryant, who died in a heartbreaking helicopter crash with his 13-year-old daughter, Gigi.

News of Joe's passing came through La Salle University's head coach, Fran Dunphy. He confirmed the 69-year-old's death on Tuesday, July 16, revealing he suffered a massive stroke.

Additional information about Joe's demise has yet to be released; however, his death sparked renewed attention to his life and illustrious basketball career. Before the arrival of legendary athletes like Magic Johnson and LeBron James, there was Kobe's father.

A 6-foot-9 forward, Joe showcased skills that left an unforgettable impression on the court. He played basketball at Bartram High School and La Salle, averaging over 20 points and 11 rebounds while on the University's team.

Joe was the Public League Player of the Year in 1972 and played eight seasons in the NBA. According to the Inquirer, he was a first-round draft pick of the Golden State Warriors in 1975, but the team sold his rights to the 76ers less than four months later.

After the Warriors sold Joe to the 76ers, he spent four seasons with his hometown team. He came off the bench for the Sixers' 1976-77 team before moving on to the Houston Rockets during the 1982-83 season.

Joe found tremendous success playing professionally in Europe, especially in Italy. However, his family eventually returned to the Philadelphia region and settled in Wynnewood. Surprisingly, the former athlete reportedly had a complicated relationship with his son.

Joe and Kobe had a tight bond during the latter's childhood and successful career at Lower Merion High School. But their dynamic allegedly shifted when the late Black Mamba star began his Hall of Fame career in the NBA.

Joe and his son's relationship reportedly strained over time because Kobe wanted more freedom and independence from his family. This might be why Joe made no public comments after Kobe's tragic helicopter crash in January 2020.

In February, The Blast reported that the Los Angeles Lakers honored Kobe and Gigi four years after their death. The NBA team previously announced they would honor the late shooting guard with a bronze statue outside the Crypto.com Arena.

But when many trooped in to watch the unveiling ceremony, they were pleasantly surprised by news of two more statues. Kobe's widow, Vanessa Bryant, announced the plan to immortalize her late husband and their daughter in a touching speech.

She unveiled the first Kobe statue, featuring the basketball player in a white No. 8 Lakers uniform. His right index finger was pointed into the air, referencing his celebratory moment after achieving an 81-point performance in a 2006 match against the Toronto Raptors.

The unveiling ceremony was scheduled on a significant date, "2-8-24," which honored Kobe and Gigi like their statues. The number referenced the No. 8 and No. 24 jerseys the late athlete wore during his career, while No. 2 was the jersey number of his deceased daughter.

The second bronze statue captured Kobe in his No. 24 jersey, while the third featured him and Gigi. It was initially believed that his daughter would not get a sculpture; however, the Lakers honored her.

The NBA team also paid tribute to Kobe at the unveiling ceremony by donning his inspired Black Mamba uniforms. The late basketball player designed these jerseys to fit his Black Mamba nickname years before his death.

Two years before his father's death, The Blast shared that Kobe's memory remained cemented in the hearts of his loved ones. These friends and family honored him on his posthumous 44th birthday in August 2022.

Kobe's eldest daughter, Natalia Bryant, led the tributes, sharing a throwback picture with her dad. The pair posed with bright smiles at one of the athlete's basketball games, a moment she sweetly captioned with birthday wishes.

Basketball icon LeBron James, who shared a close bond with Kobe on and off the court, dropped a picture of his late pal alongside a snake and halo emoji. NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal took it further by flaunting multiple portraits of Kobe in his home.

Just as these stars commemorated Kobe Bryant's memory, fans can expect similar sentiments from Joe Bryant's loved ones. Rest in peace, icons.