Vanessa Bryant issued a heartfelt statement following the death of her father-in-law Joe “Jellybean” Bryant , who she admittedly didn’t have a close relationship with.
On Monday, Joe passed away at the age of 69 from what La Salle head coach Fran Dunphy described as a “massive stroke,” per The Philadelphia Inquirer . His untimely death comes four-and-half years after his son - NBA legend Kobe Bryant - and granddaughter, Gianna were killed in a helicopter crash that also took the lives of seven other people.
Taking to Instagram, Vanessa - Kobe’s widow - paid her respects to Joe. "Sending our condolences upon hearing the news of my father in law's passing," she began.
READ MORE: The Ring Video Doorbell is 50% off right now, exclusive for Amazon Prime members
READ MORE: Kobe Bryant's dad, Joe, dies at 69 after suffering massive stroke
"We hoped things would've been different. Although the times we spent together were few, he was always sweet and nice to be around. Kobe loved him very much."
Kobe and Joe had a close relationship during the former’s childhood, but grew apart once the Lower Merion High School star took his talents to the NBA. According to ESPN , Kobe “sought more freedom and independence from his family” while playing for the Los Angeles Lakers during his decorated 20-year career.
Despite having a rocky relationship with his father, Kobe routinely expressed respect for Joe, who played eight seasons in the league after being drafted in the first round of the 1975 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors. Back in 2010, the Hall of Famer told ESPN : "I might be a little biased, but he's a great basketball mind.
Follow us on X for the best and latest in sports news
"He taught me from an early age how to view the game, how to prepare for the game and how to execute and things like that. I know firsthand what a great teacher he is and I think players that played for him … can attest to it as well."
Following the tragic passing of Kobe and Gianna on January 26, 2020, Joe rarely appeared in public, additionally opting to not issue an official statement addressing their deaths. But he and his wife, Pam Bryant, were in attendance for the memorial service honoring their son, as the couple were spotted sitting front row at the Staples Center - now known as the Crypto.com Arena - in Los Angeles.
An outpouring of supportive messages remembering Joe flooded in once news of his death broke. La Salle assistant coach John Cox, who also is Joe’s nephew, wrote that he was "heartbroken by the sudden loss of my uncle".
He added: "He was a basketball icon in the city of Philadelphia and someone I grew up admiring. The impact he has made both here at La Salle and in the Philly basketball community will be felt for years to come."
Kobe’s former agent and current Detroit Pistons vice chairman Arn Tellem issued his own statement, writing: "I'm deeply saddened by the passing of Joe 'Jellybean' Bryant and join the basketball community in mourning a true Philly hoops legend. Our friendship opened the door for me to represent Kobe as he entered the NBA, a memory I'll always cherish. Joe was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, whose warmth touched everyone he met."
Most Popular
Comments / 0