Joe Bryant

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Coaching the Los Angeles Sparks, July 3, 2006
Coaching the Los Angeles Sparks, July 3, 2006

Joseph Washington "Jellybean" Bryant (born October 19, 1954, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a retired American professional basketball player and the father of Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant. Until April 4, 2007, Bryant was also the coach of the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks.[1]

After starring at La Salle University, Bryant, a 6'9" forward, was drafted in the first round by the Golden State Warriors in 1975.[2] 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[3] 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. During the 2006 season, he led the Sparks to a 25-9 and a Conference Finals berth. However, in April 2007 Bryant was replaced as Sparks head coach by Michael Cooper, who had previously helmed the team in 1999-2004.

Joe Bryant is married to Pamela Cox, sister of former NBA player John "Chubby" Cox.

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ ESPN.com - WNBA - Bryant out, Cooper Back in as Sparks Coach. ESPN.
  2. ^ http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/ian_thomsen/06/04/kobe/index.html?eref=si_topstories
  3. ^ Bryant was traded for what eventually turned out to the first pick in the 1986 NBA Draft, although prior to the draft the 76ers had traded the pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers, who selected Brad Daugherty. [1]

[edit] External links

Preceded by
Henry Bibby		 Los Angeles Sparks Head Coach
2005-2007		 Succeeded by
Michael Cooper