Vanessa Bryant Speaks Out After Father-In-Law Joe “Jellybean” Bryant’s Death

Vanessa Bryant shared a message mourning her father-in-law Joe “Jellybean” Bryant following his tragic death. Taking to Instagram stories on Tuesday (July 16), the 42-year-old wrote a message in white text over a solid black background.

Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, Kobe Bryant's Father, Dies At 69 Following Massive Stroke

“Sending our condolences upon hearing the news of my father in law’s passing,” read the statement. “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. Our prayers go out to the family.”

The relationship between Kobe and Vanessa Bryant and his parents was often estranged. According to Sports Illustrated , Joe and his wife Pam did not approve of the marriage and did not attend the wedding. Additionally, in 2016, the late NBA legend revealed he had not spoken to his parents in three years after they auctioned off several items and memorabilia.

In March, Joe and Pam Bryant faced backlash after putting their son’s first NBA Championship ring up for auction. Won in 2000 when the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Indiana Pacers, the feat became Kobe Bryant’s first of five NBA championships .

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Joe “Jellybean” Bryant died on Monday at the age of 69 after suffering a massive stroke. In his professional sports career, he was the first-round draft pick in 1975 for the Golden State Warriors after a successful tenure at La Salle University. He continued to play with the Warriors for four seasons until he joined the San Diego Clippers and then the Houston Rockets. Bryant also played internationally in Italy and France, and coached teams in Thailand and Japan.

Additionally, he served as an assistant and head coach for the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks from 2005-2007 and in 2011. View Vanessa Bryant’s Instagram upload below.

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