History of Joe Bryant in Timeline

"Jellybean" Bryant was an American professional basketball player and coach who played in the NBA for the Philadelphia 76ers, San Diego Clippers, and Houston Rockets. He also played professionally in Italy and France. Following his playing career, he became a coach, leading teams in the NBA, WNBA, Italy, Japan, and Thailand. His son, Kobe Bryant, achieved legendary status in basketball and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

October 19, 1954: Birth of Joe Bryant

Joe Bryant was born on October 19, 1954.

1975: Joe Bryant Marries Pam Cox

Joe Bryant married Pam Cox, the sister of former NBA player Chubby Cox, in 1975.

1976: Joe Bryant Joins the Philadelphia 76ers

Joe Bryant was traded to his hometown team, the Philadelphia 76ers, in 1976.

1977: 76ers Reach the NBA Finals

The Philadelphia 76ers, with Joe Bryant on the roster, reached the NBA Finals in 1977 but lost to the Portland Trail Blazers.

1979: Joe Bryant Traded to the San Diego Clippers

The Philadelphia 76ers traded Joe Bryant to the San Diego Clippers before the 1979–1980 season.

1980: Memorable Dunk Over Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Joe Bryant made a memorable slam dunk over Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the first game of the 1979–1980 season.

1981: Joe Bryant's Final Season in the NBA

Joe Bryant was traded to the Houston Rockets in 1981, where he played his final season in the NBA.

1982: Joe Bryant Begins Playing Overseas

After his NBA career, Joe Bryant started playing basketball overseas in Italy and France in 1982.

1992: Joe Bryant Begins Coaching Career

Joe Bryant began his coaching career in Italy with the U.S. Armed Forces in 1992.

1992: Joe Bryant Retires from Playing Basketball

Joe Bryant ended his professional basketball playing career in 1992.

June 1993: Joe Bryant Becomes Assistant Coach at La Salle University

Joe Bryant accepted an assistant coach position at his alma mater, La Salle University, in June 1993.

1993: Joe Bryant Coaches at Akiba Hebrew Academy

Joe Bryant served as the head coach of the women's varsity team at Akiba Hebrew Academy in Lower Merion, Pennsylvania, during the 1992–1993 season.

May 7, 1996: Joe Bryant Resigns from La Salle University

Joe Bryant resigned from his position at La Salle University after his son, Kobe, decided to enter the NBA after high school in 1996.

2003: Joe Bryant Coaches the SlamBall Team Diablos

Joe Bryant coached the Diablos in the 2003 SlamBall season, with the team finishing in seventh place with a 4–6 record.

August 22, 2005: Joe Bryant Named Head Coach of the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks

Joe Bryant was appointed as the head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks, succeeding Henry Bibby, on August 22, 2005.

2005: Joe Bryant Begins Coaching Career with the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks

Joe Bryant was appointed as the head coach of the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks in 2005.

2006: Sparks Reach Conference Finals Under Joe Bryant

The Los Angeles Sparks, led by Joe Bryant, achieved a 25-9 record and reached the Conference Finals in 2006.

April 2007: Joe Bryant Replaced as Sparks Head Coach

Joe Bryant was replaced as the head coach of the Sparks by Michael Cooper in April 2007.

2007: Joe Bryant Coaches the Tokyo Apache in Japan

Joe Bryant coached the Tokyo Apache of the Japanese BJ League during the 2007–2008 season.

2007: Joe Bryant's First Stint as Sparks Head Coach Ends

Joe Bryant's time as the head coach of the Sparks ended in 2007.

2008: Tokyo Apache Finish as Playoff Runner-Up

Joe Bryant led the Tokyo Apache to the playoffs in the 2007-2008 season, where they finished as the runner-up.

July 3, 2009: Joe Bryant Returns to Italy to Coach Sebastiani Rieti

Joe Bryant signed with his first Italian club, Sebastiani Rieti, as their head coach on July 3, 2009.

2010: Joe Bryant Coaches Levanga Hokkaido in Japan

Joe Bryant became the head coach of the Japanese professional basketball team Levanga Hokkaido for the 2010–2011 JBL season.

2010: Sebastiani Rieti's Final Season

The 2009–2010 season marked the final season of Joe Bryant's former club, Sebastiani Rieti.

2011: Joe Bryant's Season with Levanga Hokkaido

Joe Bryant coached the Levanga Hokkaido during the 2010-2011 JBL season.

2011: Joe Bryant Returns to Coach the Sparks

Joe Bryant returned to the Los Angeles Sparks as an assistant coach, later becoming the head coach for the remainder of the 2011 season.

2011: Joe Bryant Returns to the Los Angeles Sparks

Joe Bryant returned to the Los Angeles Sparks in 2011, initially as an assistant coach before becoming the head coach for the remainder of the season.