The late NBA champion Kobe Bryant began his career with the strong support of his parents, though their relationship grew strained over time.
Born into a basketball family, Bryant was inspired by his father, Joe Bryant, a former NBA player who played for renowned teams like the Philadelphia 76ers and the San Diego Clippers.
Kobe developed a deep passion for basketball from a young age, inspired by watching his father play.
His parents fully supported his basketball aspirations from the very start. They even celebrated his first NBA championship win in 2000 with him.
Unfortunately, the parent-son relationship took a turn for the worse over a family dispute involving Bryant’s relationship at the time.
Kobe Bryant’s Parents Tried to Auction His Memorabilia Without His Permission That Only Strained Their Dynamic Further!
When Kobe was younger, his father, Joe, played a pivotal role in guiding him in basketball as a former player.
The father-son had a remarkable bond, and they were even spotted enjoying a soccer game in Italy once.
Young Kobe with his father Joe Jellybean Bryant at a soccer game in Italy. 🐍 pic.twitter.com/hTkDO6mGBV
— Kobe Bryant Stories & Motivation (@kobehighlight) July 16, 2024
However, their close and supportive relationship shifted as he grew older and crossed paths with his wife.
The late NBA star Kobe Bryant met his wife, Vanessa, in 1999 when he was just 21 years old, and the two quickly married.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Kobe’s relationship with Vanessa marked the beginning of a fallout between him and his parents.
Kobe’s father, Joe, and mother, Pamela, reportedly disapproved of his relationship with Vanessa, partly because she was not from the African-American community.
Their disapproval led to a significant rift, and they did not attend Kobe and Vanessa’s wedding in April 2001, a public indication of the strained family ties.
However, there appeared to be a reconciliation in 2005 when Joe Bryant took on a coaching role with the Los Angeles Sparks.
During some of Kobe’s games, his parents appeared in the stands, suggesting their relationship was healing.
Unfortunately, their relationship suffered another major blow when Kobe’s parents attempted to auction off an extensive collection of his memorabilia, including uniforms and Lakers championship rings that he gifted his parents, without his permission.
Unaware of the auction, Kobe was deeply hurt, leading to a public feud involving lawsuits and eventual public apologies from his parents.
This incident only worsened their already strained bond, and his parents remained absent for much of his later life.
The basketball star even took to Twitter to express how hurt he was by the incident with a tweet reading:
When u give Give GIVE and they take Take TAKE at wat point do u draw a line in the sand? #hurtbeyondmeasure #gavemenowarning #love?
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) May 4, 2013
Kobe Bryant Was Not on Very Good Terms With His Parents Up Until His Passing!
In an interview with ESPN, Kobe reflected on his damaged relationship with his parents, saying:
Our relationship is s–t, I say, ‘I’m going to buy you a very nice home,’ and the response is, ‘That’s not good enough?’ Then you’re selling my s–t?
Despite the ongoing tension, reports suggested that the father and son shared a hug in later years, which showcased a glimmer of reconciliation.
However, it remains unclear if their relationship fully recovered to the closeness they shared during Kobe’s early years.
Tragically, Kobe passed away in a helicopter crash in 2020, a devastating loss for his parents, who not only mourned the death of their son but also carried the weight of their troubled relationship.
While the world grieved a basketball legend, his parents endured the sorrow of losing a child amid their unresolved conflicts.
However, Kobe’s father, Joe Bryant, also passed away at age 69 in July 2024 from a massive stroke.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Kobe Bryant spent his 20-year career in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers, starting in 1996 and ending in 2016.
- Bryant was a five-time NBA Champion, 18-time All-Star, 15-time member of the All-NBA Team, 12-time member of the All-Defensive Team, and two-time NBA Finals MVP.
- Kobe gave himself the nickname Black Mamba in the mid-2000s and even won gold two times on the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic Teams.
