Another Terrible Loss For The Bryant Family, Sending Prayers

“Joe was our JV coach at Lower Merion and I could not have asked for a more positive mentor, teacher, and role model,” Young told ESPN. His influence on me and my teammates is hard to exaggerate. He made basketball entertaining and inspired us to improve; he believed in us. I’ll never forget his contagious smile, bear hugs, and great friendship with Kobe. As children in Lower Merion, the Bryants were the family we most admired, starting with Joe.