Vanessa Bryant reflects on the death of Joe Bryant

Vanessa Bryant, the widow of Los Angeles Lakers Hall of Fame member Kobe Bryant, has spoken out about the death of her father-in-law, Joe “Jellybean” Bryant. Joe died at the age of 69, as Mike Sielski of the Philadelphia Inquirer first reported.

Bryant shared a statement on her Instagram stories, saying: “We send our condolences upon hearing the news of my father-in-law’s passing. We hoped things would have turned out differently. Although we spent little time together, he was always sweet and kind. Kobe loved him very much. Our prayers are with the family.”

Joe died four years after his son Kobe, who died in a helicopter crash along with his daughter Gianna “Gigi” Bryant.

Kobe did not always have a good relationship with his father and there were several periods of estrangement throughout their lives. Joe and his wife Pam Bryant did not attend Kobe and Vanessa’s wedding because they did not approve of their relationship at the time. Kobe later revealed in an ESPN interview in 2016 that he had not spoken to his parents for three years after they auctioned off several of his memorabilia.

The former NBA player spent his career with the Philadelphia 76ers, San Diego Clippers and Houston Rockets before playing basketball abroad in Italy and France. He later coached his alma mater, La Salle University, and the Los Angeles Sparks.

Joe leaves behind his wife Pam, his two daughters Sharia and Shaya, and his grandchildren.

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