Former NBA participant and billionaire businessman Junior Bridgeman has handed away on the age of 71 after struggling a medical emergency at a public occasion in Louisville on Tuesday.
Junior Bridgeman Suffered A Medical Emergency Whereas Doing An Interview For The Lincoln Heritage Council, Scouting America
Bridgeman was collaborating in an interview at a profit luncheon for the Lincoln Heritage Council, Scouting America on the Galt Home Lodge when it occurred, in line with WLKY.
Whereas he was speaking with a WLKY anchor, Bridgeman stated he thought he was having a coronary heart assault. When emergency medical companies arrived, he was taken away in an ambulance.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the next assertion right now concerning the passing of Milwaukee Bucks minority proprietor, NBA Africa investor and former NBA participant Junior Bridgeman. pic.twitter.com/BvPjODKah8
— NBA (@NBA) March 12, 2025
As a 6-foot-5 guard/ahead, Bridgeman was chosen eighth general by the Los Angeles Lakers within the 1975 NBA draft out of the College of Louisville. Nevertheless, he was a part of the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar blockbuster commerce a few weeks later.
On June 16, 1975, the Lakers traded Bridgeman, Dave Meyers, Elmore Smith, and Brian Winters to the Milwaukee Bucks for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Walt Wesley.
Milwaukee Bucks Launched A Assertion
The Bucks issued the next assertion:
“The Milwaukee Bucks are shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of Bucks legend and proprietor Junior Bridgeman. Junior’s retired No. 2 jersey hangs in Fiserv Discussion board, serving as a continuing remembrance of his excellent play on the court docket and his impression on the Bucks’ success.”
We’re shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of Bucks legend and proprietor Junior Bridgeman. We ship our deepest condolences to his household. pic.twitter.com/XakoTcDeF5
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) March 11, 2025
“His laborious work and perseverance led him to change into one of many nation’s prime enterprise leaders and, final September, Junior’s skilled life got here full circle when he returned to the Bucks household as an proprietor. His reminiscence will all the time be an inspiration to the Bucks group,” the NBA group added.
“We’re heartbroken by Junior’s passing, and we ship our deepest condolences to his spouse, Doris, his youngsters, Eden, Justin, and Ryan, his whole household and all these near him.”
Junior Bridgeman Performed 12 Years In The NBA
Bridgeman performed 10 seasons with the Bucks from 1975-84 and 1986-87, averaged double figures in scoring for eight consecutive seasons, and helped the group attain the playoffs eight occasions.
Moreover, Bridgeman additionally spent two seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers from 1984-86. He returned to Milwaukee for the 1986-87 season the place he concluded his 12-year profession.
Shaq displays on the passing of his buddy, @Bucks legend and proprietor Junior Bridgeman ❤️ pic.twitter.com/YiDzQhqR4R
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) March 11, 2025
In 849 profession NBA regular-season video games (52 begins), Bridgeman averaged 13.6 factors, 3.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 25 minutes per contest. He additionally shot 47.5% from the sphere and 84.6% on the free throw line.
Per Basketball Reference, Bridgeman retired having performed 711 video games for the Bucks franchise. That was the all-time document till Giannis Antetokounmpo surpassed it in 2023.
Bridgeman’s No. 2 jersey was retired by the Bucks in 1988.
Bridgeman Purchased A ten% Possession Stake In The Bucks
In September, Junior Bridgeman purchased a 10% possession stake within the Bucks. He reportedly acquired a most well-liked restricted accomplice low cost of 15%, or a $3.4 billion valuation, to purchase a portion of the group.
Bridgeman went from making lower than $300,000 a season within the NBA to changing into a billionaire and minority proprietor of the Bucks.
“So, when this chance offered itself, it simply appeared like a pure factor for me to get an opportunity to be half not simply within the coronary heart however bodily of the group going ahead,” he stated then.
In line with a latest profile by ESPN’s Baxter Holmes, the East Chicago native has a internet price of almost $600 million. His enterprise offers included Heartland Coca-Cola, Wendy’s and Chili’s eating places, together with Ebony and Jet magazines.
In 2016, Forbes ranked Bridgeman the fourth-wealthiest retired athlete on the planet, with an estimated revenue of $32 million. He was behind solely Michael Jordan, David Beckham, and Arnold Palmer.
