Joe Bryant

From Hoopedia

Joseph Washington "Jellybean" Bryant (born October 19, 1954, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American former professional basketball player and the father of Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant. Bryant was also the coach of the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks, but was fired on April 4, 2007.

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 by the 76ers to the San Diego Clippers, for whom he played from 1980-82.

After a final NBA season with the Houston Rockets in 1983, Bryant headed to Europe, playing seven seasons in Italy's A1 and A2 clubs in Rieti (1984-86), Reggio Calabria (1986-87), Pistoia (1987-89) and Reggio Emilia (1989-91). He twice had 53-point games with Pistoia in the 1987-88 season.

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 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 former NBA player John "Chubby" Cox.

Joe Bryant is currently in Tokyo, Japan coaching the Tokyo Apache team in Ariake Dome.