Joseph Washington "Jellybean" Bryant (born October 19, 1954, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a retired American professional basketball player who is now head coach of the top-level Italian club Solsonica Rieti. He had previously been head coach of the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks, where he was the head coach from August 22, 2005 until April 4, 2007. He is the father of Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant.
After starring at La Salle University, Br...
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Joseph Washington "Jellybean" Bryant (born October 19, 1954, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a retired American professional basketball player who is now head coach of the top-level Italian club Solsonica Rieti. He had previously been head coach of the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks, where he was the head coach from August 22, 2005 until April 4, 2007. He is the father of Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant.
After starring at La Salle University, Bryant, a 6'9" (2.07 m) forward, 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 with clubs of the Italian A1 League and the Italian A2 League. He played...
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