Junior Bridgeman, an NBA veteran and a 12 -year -old billionaire businessman, died at the age of 71.
According to Wlky, Bridgeman had a medical emergency during the 45th annual lunch in leadership on scouting in Galt House in Louisville, Kentucky on Tuesday.
WLKY journalist Kent Taylor asked Bridgeman as part of the program for the benefit of Lincoln Heritage Council, Scouting America.
Bridgeman, “said he thought he had a heart attack” in front of hundreds of participants in a lunch, Taylor said.
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Bridgeman Junior applauded during an announcement that he built a manna handling factory in Montgomery, Alberta, October 18, 2022. (Imagn)
The emergency services were said to have been called immediately and “people immediately put themselves into action to help”. Bridgeman was finally transported from lunch by ambulance and died later.
Louisville is the place where Bridgeman became a basketball legend before his business sense made him a leader and philanthropic in the city.
Bridgeman played his university basketball at the University of Louisville from 1972 to 1975, where he carried out two final points of the legendary coach of Cardinals Denny Crim.
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The Los Angeles Lakers made him the eighth choice in total of the 1975 NBA draft, but he was transferred to the Milwaukee Bucks, the team with which he spent all the seasons except two in his career in 12 years of the NBA.
The shooting guard / small attacker collected on average 13.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists, while pulling 47.8% on the field in 711 career games for Milwaukee.
Bridgeman had a minority participation of 10% in The Bucks, which published a long statement after learning his death.
“The Milwaukee Bucks are shocked and saddened by the tragic death of the legend of Bucks and the owner junior Bridgeman,” said the team. “The retirement jersey of Junior n ° 2 is hung on the FISERV Forum, serving as a constant memory of its exceptional game on the field and its impact on the success of the Bucks.
“His hard work and his perseverance led him to become one of the best business leaders in the country and, last September, Junior’s professional life completed the loop when he returned to the Bucks family as a owner. His memory will always be an inspiration for the Bucks organization.”
Bridgeman Junior runs the ball in a match in January 1987. (Imagn)
The University of Louisville Athletics also published a statement.
“Today, we have lost a legend and a beloved member of the Louisville basketball family,” said. “Bridgeman Junior leaves an unequaled heritage, and we are eternally grateful for the impact he had on our program, our university and our city. We send our deepest condolences to the Bridgeman family and to all those who loved it.”
In addition to his 10 seasons with the Bucks, Bridgeman played for the Los Angeles Clippers from 1984 to 1986.
Bridgeman has developed a talent for business while playing in the NBA. He started investing in Wendy’s fast food restaurants, and his small investments quickly turned into an empire of 450-restaurant known as Bridgeman Foods Inc.
Bridgeman Junior at the Hermitage Grand Gala Derby Eve Party at Hermitage Farm in Goshen, Ky. (Imagn)
Bridgeman also handled Coca-Cola traffic jam operations and Ebony and Jet magazines.
Forbes had estimated the net value of Bridgeman at $ 3.7 billion.
Bridgeman is survived by his wife, Doris, and three children – Eden, Justin and Ryan.
