Lakers great Kobe Bryant was known for his otherworldly skill set. From his unfathomable accolades in his career to every tiny detail about his life, all is known to the public. However, very little was known about the late legend’s relationship with his parents. John Salley, who won an NBA championship alongside Bryant recently spoke about Kobe’s memorial in his latest interview with DJ Vlad.
As per sources, Bryant had a rocky relationship with his parents, Joe and Pamela Bryant after they did not approve of his wife, Vanessa. But they were able to reconcile after Bryant’s daughter Gianna was born. However, that was squandered too after the 2013 auction incident. However, as Salley recalled, the memorial book had all of Kobe’s pictures with his sisters and parents. This was a great gesture by Vanessa.
“But I saw pictures in the memorial pamphlet that everyone received when they got there, of Kobe with his nephews and his pictures with his sister. All of that was inside of there. I think Vanessa did an unbelievable job,” recalled Salley. Showing support for the mother of four and the big heartbreaking loss she endured in life, Salley said, “Let me tell you I don’t know we all may be sad but not as sad as her.” Furthermore, he added, “Let her grieve and I don’t I hope she doesn’t have to answer back, she did an amazing job.”
ADVERTIsem*nT
Article continues below this ad
John Salley said this after DJ Vlad asked him about the fact that Bryant’s parents decided not to speak at his memorial.
READ MORE: Kobe Bryant’s Former Teammate Has Bitter Memories of Iconic 81-Point Game: “I Can’t Stomach Watching…
John Salley talks about Kobe Bryant’s parents
ADVERTIsem*nT
Article continues below this ad
Bryant’s parents were present at the funeral, however, they chose not to speak. His sisters Shaya and Sharia were also present. Both were seated in the front row. While John Salley seemed hesitant to speak on the matter, he ultimately shared his opinion. He noted how his parents were very private and reserved.
The Pistons legend shared, “Jelly Bean and his wife and his sisters, they’re not in the spotlight and maybe they didn’t want the targeting of being in the spotlight.” He furthermore explained, “So they stayed out of it so no focus would go to anything.”
Back in 2013, Kobe’s parents indeed put up their son’s 2000 NBA championship ring in an auction without his permission. The Black Mamba himself gifted it to his father. However, the 5x NBA champion was heartbroken when he found out about the sale and took the matter to court. After much discussion, the matter was settled with Joe and Pamela selling six of the items including the ring. They were not on talking terms for a while.
ADVERTIsem*nT
Article continues below this ad
This auction incident caused a dent in their relationship. Despite that, the Los Angeles Lakers legend continued his efforts to reconcile and they managed to be on speaking terms again after Capri’s birth.
READ MORE: 23 Years Before Kobe Bryant’s Work Ethic Impressed Him, 3x All-Star Shares a Freaky Coincidence With ‘Black Mamba’
FAQs
Prior to his death, Kobe and his parents reportedly attempted to make amends after several fallouts that began when he started dating Vanessa. Joe and Pamela didn't attend the couple's wedding in April 2001. Over the years, their brief reconciliations were documented, but that came to a halt in 2013.
Why did Kobe's parents not approve of Vanessa? ›
Joe did not approve," Ballard wrote. "The problem, according to the Los Angeles Times, was that Joe was 'uncomfortable that Vanessa, a Latina, is not African-American, and he is uneasy with his selfless devotion to her. ' When Kobe and Vanessa got married the following year, Joe and Pam didn't attend the wedding."
How did Kobe Bryant's parents react to his death? ›
Kobe Bryant's parents — Joe Bryant and Pamela Bryant — are reportedly “traumatized” by the death of their son, Kobe, and granddaughter, Gianna Bryant, according to multiple reports.
Did Kobe's parents go to his funeral? ›
Kobe Bryant's parents — Joe and Pamela Cox Bryant — attended the Kobe Bryant memorial service on Monday at the Staples Center, but they didn't speak during the memorial.
How much money did Kobe Bryant leave his family? ›
He deserved every ounce of success he got. Kobe Bryant's wife Vanessa Bryant received nearly $29 million as part of her late husband's estate after his death in January 2020. The money was part of a trust set up by Kobe Bryant to provide for Vanessa and their children in the event of his death.
Are Kobe Bryant's parents? ›
Kobe Bryant's parents, Joe “Jellybean” and Pamela Bryant, have come under fire for auctioning off their late son's first NBA championship ring, Vibe Magazine reports. Many have taken to social media to voice their displeasure about the “Black Mamba's” parents' decision to sell their son's memorabilia.
Did Kobe fix his relationship with his parents? ›
While Kobe Bryant's relationship with his parents was rocky at times, particularly during his playing career, he worked on fixing it prior to his untimely passing. Both Pam and Joe "Jellybean" Bryant were present at the Los Angeles Lakers' legend's funeral.
Why did Kobe have problems with his parents? ›
Reports indicate that tensions between Kobe and his parents surfaced when he began dating Vanessa Bryant, culminating in their absence from the couple's wedding in 2001.
Did Kobe's parents talk to him? ›
Pam's relationship with her son remained strained following Kobe's retirement. It's unknown if they were able to reconcile prior to Kobe's tragic death, but things continued to appear incredibly icy between the former Lakers star and his parents.
Did Kobe's parents speak at his memorial? ›
John Salley talks about Kobe Bryant's parents
Bryant's parents were present at the funeral, however, they chose not to speak. His sisters Shaya and Sharia were also present. Both were seated in the front row.
What did Kobe want to do before he died? ›
Winning an Academy Award was not the end goal for Bryant, who wanted to change the lives of others through storytelling and inspirational messages. Bryant told CBS "This Morning" before his death: "I want a diverse animation team.
How old was Kobe's baby when he died? ›
In January, the tragic deaths of NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, caught us all by surprise.
Who inherited Kobe's money? ›
Since his wife, Vanessa, survived him, legally she would inherit his entire estate.
How many kids did Kobe Bryant have? ›
Kobe and Vanessa Bryant's 4 Kids: All About Natalia, Gianna, Bianka and Capri. Emy LaCroix is a contributing writer at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2022. She previously worked as the deputy editor of Life & Style, In Touch, and Closer Weekly.
Who are Kobe Bryant's relatives? ›
The Bryant Family consisted of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, his wife Vanessa Bryant, his daughters Natalia, Gianna, Bianka, and Capri Bryant his parents Joe and Pamela Bryant, and his sisters Sharia and Shaya Bryant.
Who is Kobe Bryant's wife? ›
Vanessa Marie Bryant (born May 5, 1982) is an American businesswoman, philanthropist, and model. She is the widow of American professional basketball player Kobe Bryant. With her husband, she founded the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Foundation in 2007 to provide scholarships to minority college students worldwide.
