Joe Bryant
Joseph Washington "Jellybean" Bryant (born
October 19,
1954 in
Philadelphia) is a former
American professional
basketball player and a current
WNBA coach. He is the father of
Los Angeles Lakers star
Kobe Bryant.
After starring at
La Salle University, Bryant was drafted in the first round by the
Golden State Warriors in 1975. Before the season started, though, he was dealt to his hometown team, the
Philadelphia 76ers, with whom he played for four seasons. Bryant headed back to the West Coast when he was traded to the
San Diego Clippers (now
Los Angeles Clippers), where he played from 1980-82.
After a final
NBA season with the
Houston Rockets in 1983, Bryant headed to Europe, playing four seasons in Italy's LEGA A clubs in
Pistoia (1987-89) and
Reggio Emilia (1989-91). He twice had 53-point games with Pistoia in the 1987-88 season. Bryant also played with legendary Italian club
Olimpia Milano.
Bryant continued to play into his fifties, appearing in several games for the
Boston Frenzy of the fledgling
American Basketball Association. He also appeared in a well-received
TV commercial for
Coca-Cola, showing his playground basketball skills hadn't diminished with age.
On
August 17,
2005, Bryant, who had been serving as the Assistant Coach to the
Los Angeles Sparks team in the
Women's National Basketball Association, was named Head Coach of the Sparks, succeeding previous coach (and former 76ers teammate)
Henry Bibby.
He is married to Pamela Cox, sister of NBA player
John "Chubby" Cox.
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Joe Bryant at Basketball-Reference.com*
Joe Bryant WNBA Coach Profile
