Los Angeles Sparks Joseph Washington "Jellybean" Bryant (born October 19, 1954) is a retired American basketball player, current coach, and the father of former Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant. From August 22, 2005, to April 4, 2007, Bryant was the head coach of the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks. Before becoming an NBA coach, he had several years of experience in the league as a player. He played college ball at Providence College from 1973 to 1977, helping the Friars win the 1974 National Championship. He was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers with the third overall pick in the 1977 NBA draft but instead signed with the New York Knicks. With the Knicks, he won the 1980 NBA championship. After one season with the Chicago Bulls, he returned home to play for the Lakers, with whom he won five more championships - 1992, 1993, 1996, 2000, and 2002. His son Kobe also became an All-Star player for the Lakers, winning three more titles - 2009, 2010, and 2011. After retirement, he went on to become one of the best coaches in NBA history, leading the Lakers to six more victories during his tenure as head coach. He was fired after being involved in a brawl with officials during a game vs. Sacramento Kings on January 26, 2008. The next day, the Lakers announced that former Chicago Bull Mike D'Antoni had been hired as their new head coach.