Former professional basketball star Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant, father of Kobe who died at the age of 69, passes away.

He was a part of eight NBA seasons, but spent the majority of his time in Europe as part of a global lifestyle which shaped his son into a superstar.

Longtime pro basketball player Joe “Jellybean” Bryant , whose long European career had a profound influence on his Hall of Fame son , Kobe, has died, officials said Tuesday.

He was 69.

“We are saddened to announce the passing of La Salle basketball great Joe Bryant,” stated in a statement from La Salle University, where Joe Bryant was a player from 1973 until 1975 and served on his coaching team from 1993 until 1996. “He was a beloved member of the Explorer family and will be dearly missed.”

Joe Bryant played in eight NBA seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers as well as The San Diego Clippers and the Houston Rockets from 1975 to 1983.

The Sixers have called Bryant as a Philly basketball “icon, whose legacy on the court transcended his journey across Bartram High School, La Salle University, and his first four NBA seasons with the 76ers from 1975-79.”

“Our condolences go out to the Bryant family,” the team said..

After Bryant quit the NBA He was able to spend the following eight seasons playing professionally for teams throughout France as well as Italy.

Kobe Bryant, born in 1978, spent a lot part of the rest of his early years in Italy and Italy, in Italy, where Kobe Bryant learned several languages and became a fan of Italian culture.

Kobe Bryant — whose middle name is Bean in honor of his father’s nickname. became the fourth-highest scoring player in NBA history. He is considered to be one of the game’s most outstanding players.

Kobe Bryant, 41, died in a helicopter accident close to Los Angeles on Jan. 26 in 2020. His daughter Gianna as well as seven others also perished in the crash.

After his death Hall of Fame enshrinement, his wife, Vanessa Bryant, shouted at her son’s in-laws.

“I invited my mother- and father-in-law to tonight’s enshrinement to thank them for bringing one of the most amazing human beings into this world,” she told the crowd. “Pam and Joe, thank you for raising Kobe to be exceptional.”

The actress posted her condolences on Instagram and wrote “we hoped things would’ve been different.”

“Although the times we spent together were few, he was always sweet and nice to be around,” she wrote. “Kobe loved him very much. Our prayers go out to family.”