Who was Kobe Bryant uncle? That’s the question on the mind of basketball fans after the Los Angeles Lakers legend announced his retirement from the NBA earlier today (April 14). And while most people know that Bryant has a famous basketball-playing father in Joe Jellybean Bryant, many may not be aware that he also had an uncle in the sports world, although he’s more famous as an actor and musician. Find out who was Kobe Bryant’s uncle! Then, read up on more interesting facts about the retiring NBA player.
Wilt Chamberlain
I had the opportunity to meet one of the most iconic basketball players of all time and NBA legend, Wilt Chamberlain. His full name was Wilton Norman Wilt Chamberlain and he is often referred to as the most dominant player in NBA history. Born on October 18, 1936 in Philadelphia, PA he played for the University of Kansas in 1957-58 before being drafted by the Philadelphia Warriors in 1959.
He played for them until 1962 when he was traded to the new Los Angeles Lakers franchise. In 1975, his title as Most Valuable Player became official at a ceremony where they presented him with a trophy and a Cadillac El Dorado car.
Robert Lambert
In 1975, when the Lakers were still in Minneapolis, the team drafted a young player named Bobby Joe Bob Lambertson. The Lakers traded him to the Buffalo Braves in 1979 and he never made it back to the NBA. He was killed by an armed intruder who invaded his home on October 18, 1983. Lambertson had always been proud of his nephew’s achievements and was looking forward to going to see him play in person for the first time during an upcoming visit from California.
In 1986, after having retired from basketball following his career at Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, Kobe’s parents moved their family to Italy before returning two years later to Philadelphia where they settled into a comfortable suburban lifestyle with their three children and two dogs.
Joe Jellybean Bryant
The uncle of one of the most famous basketball players in the world might not be someone you would expect. Joe Jellybean Bryant, Kobe’s uncle, has been in and out of jail for most of his life. He has been arrested for drugs as well as burglary and theft. He was even arrested for second-degree murder in 1998 but was found not guilty due to lack of evidence.
Ronnie Sunshine Bass
Kobe’s uncle, Ronnie Sunshine Bass was an NBA player who played for the Chicago Bulls and the San Antonio Spurs. He also won two NBA championships as a player in 1972 and 1973 with the Los Angeles Lakers. Ronnie has recently been honored by the city of Philadelphia for his contributions to basketball and education. His nephew, Kobe spoke about what it meant for him and said It means a lot to me because he is my uncle.
Joe Cox
Who was Kobe Bryant uncle -Kobe’s uncle, Joe Cox was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1976. He played four seasons for the organization before being dealt to the Cleveland Indians in 1980. After two seasons with Cleveland, Cox returned to Toronto and finished his playing career there. The former first round draft pick played in a total of five major league games, but never got a chance to bat or pitch.
David Harrison
Kobe is one of the best basketball players to ever play the game. He’s won five NBA titles and two Olympic gold medals, which is a testament to his skill on the court. But how did he become one of the most well-known athletes in the world? Maybe you were surprised by what you learned about him.
Kobe was born in 1978 to Joe and Pam Bryant.
His father was a member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic team, but never played professionally because he was drafted by an Italian team as part of an amateur league that no longer exists, so it would be impossible for him to come back and play in America again after competing internationally with them for three years.
John Cox
Who was Kobe Bryant uncle -Cox was born in Paris, Illinois and began his playing career at Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma. In 1934 he moved to Wisconsin and played for Oshkosh’ s All-Stars. Cox spent two years with Oshkosh before being traded to the Minneapolis Lakers in 1936. It was during this time that he became a teammate of George Mikan, who would later become his rival as well as his friend.
In 1947 Cox became player-coach for the Indianapolis Jets, where he guided them to an AAU Championship victory over Toronto Nationals. The following year, he took on the same dual role with the Waterloo Hawks in Iowa. That year, 1948, he led Waterloo to its first National Basketball League title by defeating the Rochester Royals.
He continued coaching teams after retiring from active play and helped steer those squads to championship wins in 1956 and 1959 while also earning Coach-of-the Year honors both times. Cox’s crowning achievement came when he led La Crosse Warriors team – which was based in Wisconsin – to three consecutive NBL titles from 1961 through 1963.
