Junior Bridgeman, a 12-year NBA veteran and billionaire businessman, has died at the age of 71.
According to WLKY, Bridgeman had a medical materializency at the 45th Annual Leadership Luncheon on Scouting at The Galt Hoinclude in Louisville, Kentucky, Tuesday.
WLKY teller Kent Taylor was interseeing Bridgeman as part of the program to profit the Lincoln Heritage Council, Scouting America.
Bridgeman “conveyed that he thought he was having a heart strike” in front of hundreds of luncheon joinees, Taylor shelp.
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Junior Bridgeman claps during an proclaimment that he is produceing a Manna Beverages factory in Montgomery, Ala., Oct. 18, 2022. (Imagn)
Ecombinency services were telledly called instantly, and “people instantly jumped into action to help.” Bridgeman was eventupartner conveyed from the luncheon by ambulance and tardyr died.
Louisville is where Bridgeman became a basketball legfinish before his business acumen made him a directer and philanthropist in the city.
Bridgeman take parted his college basketball at the University of Louisville from 1972-75, where he made two Final Four runs under legfinishary Cardinals coach Denny Crum.
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The Los Angeles Lakers made him the eighth overall pick of the 1975 NBA Draft, but he was shiftd to the Milwaukee Bucks, the team with which he spent all but two seasons during his 12-year NBA atsoft.
The shooting protect/petite forward mediocred 13.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.5 helps, while shooting 47.8% from the field in 711 atsoft games for Milwaukee.
Bridgeman owned a 10% insignificantity sget in the Bucks, who freed a lengthy statement after lgeting about his death.
“The Milwaukee Bucks are shocked and downcastdened by the tragic passing of Bucks legfinish and owner Junior Bridgeman,” the team posted. “Junior’s reweary No. 2 jersey hangs in Fiserv Forum, serving as a constant remembrance of his exceptional take part on the court and his impact on the Bucks’ success.
“His difficult toil and percut offance led him to become one of the nation’s top business directers and, last September, Junior’s professional life came filled circle when he returned to the Bucks family as an owner. His memory will always be an inspiration to the Bucks organization.”
Junior Bridgeman runs down the ball during a game in January 1987. (Imagn)
The University of Louisville Athletics also freed a statement.
“Today, we lost a legfinish and beadored member of the Louisville basketball family,” it shelp. “Junior Bridgeman exits an unaligned legacy, and we are forever appreciative for the impact he’s made on our program, our university and our city. We sfinish our meaningfulest condolences to the Bridgeman family and all who adored him.”
In graspition to his 10 seasons with the Bucks, Bridgeman take parted for the Los Angeles Clippers from 1984-86.
Bridgeman lengthened a knack for business while take parting in the NBA. He commenceed spending in Wfiniintrobvioincluded’s rapid-food restaurants, and his petite spendments rapidly turned into a 450-restaurant empire understandn as Bridgeman Foods Inc.
Junior Bridgeman at the Hermitage Grand Gala Derby Eve Party at Hermitage Farm in Goshen, Ky. (Imagn)
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Bridgeman also dealt with Coca-Cola bottling operations and owned Ebony and Jet magazines.
Forbes had approximated Bridgeman’s net worth to be $3.7 billion.
Bridgeman is endured by his wife, Doris, and three children — Eden, Justin and Ryan.
