Joe Bryant, the father of the legendary NBA player Kobe Bryant, has tragically passed away at the age of 69. The news of his passing was confirmed by La Salle University’s athletics department.

According to reports, Joe Bryant had recently suffered a stroke, although the exact cause of death has not been confirmed. He was a former professional basketball player himself, known affectionately by his nickname “Jellybean.” Joe Bryant hailed from Philadelphia, where he played college basketball for La Salle University from 1973 to 1975.

From there, he 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.

“I’m deeply saddened by the passing of Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant and join the basketball community in mourning a true Philly hoops legend,” said Detroit Pistons vice chairman Arn Tellem, Kobe Bryant’s former agent. “Our friendship opened the door for me to represent Kobe as he entered the NBA, a memory I’ll always cherish. Joe was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, whose warmth touched everyone he met.”

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.