The sports world lost a basketball giant when Kobe Bryant and one of his daughter’s Gianna, passed away back in January of 2020. But now, that same family is mourning another loss as Kobe’s father, Joe Bryant, just passed away at the age of 69.
It was announced earlier today that the former NBA player suffered a stroke that caused his death. This comes just four years after the passing of his son that shook the NBA world to the core.
Joe Bryant played eight seasons in the NBA for the Philadelphia 76ers, the San Diego Clippers, and the Houston Rockets.
“We are saddened to announce the passing of La Salle basketball great Joe Bryant,” the school said in a news release. “Joe played for the Explorers from 1973-75 and was a member of our coaching staff from 1993-96. He was a beloved member of the Explorer family and will be dearly missed.”
How Was Joe’s Relationship with Kobe’s Wife Vanessa?
“Sending our condolences upon hearing the news of my father in law’s passing,” Vanessa Bryant, Kobe’s widow, posted Tuesday on her Instagram story. “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.”
Joe Bryant was the No. 14 pick by Golden State in the 1975 draft, and the Warriors wound up selling his rights to Philadelphia before the start of his rookie season. He played four years for the 76ers, three for the San Diego Clippers and one for the Houston Rockets, averaging 8.7 points in 606 games.
According to NBA.com, Joe then embarked on an international career, with stops in France and Italy. The years in Italy shaped Kobe Bryant; it was there that he started to truly develop a love for basketball as well as becoming fluent in Italian. The family moved back to the Philadelphia area around the time that Kobe Bryant was 13, he became a high school star and was drafted four years later.
Bryant Suffered from Something That Is Hurting More Black Men
Black men are at a higher risk of stroke than any other group of men in the United States. Compared to white men, Black men are twice as likely to have a stroke, have strokes at younger ages, and die from stroke. They are also more likely to have stroke-related disabilities that affect their daily activities.
Without prompt treatment, stroke can cause disability, brain damage, or death.
Some risk factors for stroke include:
High blood pressure
Also known as hypertension, this is a leading cause of stroke and a controllable risk factor. Black men in their late 20s to mid-40s are at high risk for developing hypertension.
Sickle cell anemia
This genetic disorder affects primarily Black people and people of Mediterranean origin. It can produce blood cells that clog capillaries and deprive tissues of blood and oxygen, which can lead to stroke.
Some things you can do to reduce your risk of stroke include:
- Reducing salt in your diet
- Increasing physical activity
- Eating more fruits and vegetables
- Losing excess weight
- Managing stress
- Quitting smoking
- Seeing your primary care doctor consistently
Warning signs of a stroke include: Face drooping, Arm weakness, and Speech difficulty.
What Happens to Black Stroke Survivors?
Younger people (under 65 years) who have diabetes and have an ischemic stroke are more likely to be Black. Ischemic strokes are caused by a blockage in an artery; these account for about 87% of all strokes. Black stroke survivors are more likely to have difficulties doing daily activities.
Also, Black stroke survivors are more likely than white stroke survivors to have a second stroke within a year and are more likely to die from that stroke.
After his basketball playing days, Joe Bryant had a number of coaching stints, including for teams in Italy, Japan and Thailand, as well as stints with the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks — meaning he was coaching in the same city as his son was playing for a number of years.
