Junior Bridgeman, a basketball star who led the University of Louisville to a Final Four, passed away at the age of 71 after suffering a heart attack at a Louisville hotel during a fundraising event Tuesday.
Bridgeman enjoyed a standout NBA career with the Milwaukee Bucks. He later built a successful legacy as a businessman, remaining a beloved figure in Louisville long after his playing days ended.
Mayor Craig Greenberg announced his passing, saying the city had "lost a kind, generous and groundbreaking legend."
"He was an All-American at U of L ... and a self-made billionaire," Greenberg said. "Yet I will most remember Junior Bridgeman for his quiet, impactful assistance to others in need."
Greenberg praised Bridgeman for being a beloved family man and for his "never-ending support for our community."
"Junior was the ultimate entrepreneur who built on his impactful 12-year NBA playing career by becoming a highly respected and successful business leader," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. "He served as a mentor to generations of NBA players and athletes across sports who were eager to learn from him about what it takes to thrive in the business world."
A native of East Chicago, Indiana, Bridgeman played under Hall of Fame coach Denny Crum at Louisville. He scored 1,348 points and grabbed 657 rebounds across three seasons, leading the Cardinals to the 1975 Final Four in his senior season, where they lost to UCLA by one point after a nerve-wrecking match.
Bridgeman was part of one of the NBA's biggest trades at the start of his career. After the Los Angeles Lakers selected him with the eighth pick in the 1975 draft, they sent him to Milwaukee as part of the trade that brought Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to the West Coast.
Bridgeman played for the Bucks from 1975 to 1984, then spent two seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers before returning to Milwaukee for his final NBA year in 1986-87. His 711 career games played for Milwaukee ranks him third in franchise history, behind only current Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton.
Bridgeman scored 11,517 career points (13.6 per game), ranking seventh in Bucks history for field goals (4,142), ninth in points (9,892), and 10th in minutes played (18,054).
"His hard work and perseverance led him to become one of the nation's top business leaders," the Bucks said in a statement. "Junior's professional life came full circle last September when he returned to the Bucks family as an owner. His memory will always be an inspiration to the Bucks organization."
After retiring from basketball, Bridgeman invested his NBA money wisely, ultimately building a thriving business empire.
He became a major franchisee for Wendy's and Chili's, at one point operating over 450 locations across 20 states. He later became a bottler for Coca-Cola and acquired Ebony and Jet magazines.
Bridgeman acquired a 10 percent stake in the Bucks last year, something that gave him great joy. "The opportunity to get back involved with the team in a different way was something that was kind of a dream," he said at the time.
University of Louisville President Kim Schatzel shared fond memories of Bridgeman.
"What stood out to me was his incredible grace, humility and his deep love for his family, his adopted Louisville home and his alma mater," Schatzel said in a statement. "He mentored many throughout his life and always had time for those who asked for his counsel or support."
"I had the privilege of playing against him, and I'll never forget how he had one of the sweetest jump shots in the NBA," Lakers legend Magic Johnson wrote on X. "What people don't realize is Junior didn't make a fortune as a player, but he turned what he earned into something extraordinary, becoming a billionaire African American businessman in this country."
Bridgeman also co-owned Louisville's Valhalla Golf Club and served on the boards of Churchill Downs, the University of Louisville, and Fifth Third Bank. He and his wife, Doris, hosted an annual Kentucky Derby party to raise funds for local causes.
"He is the blueprint for so many current and former athletes -- proof that success doesn't end when you're done playing," Johnson added.
Bridgeman is survived by his wife, Doris, and their three children: Eden, Justin, and Ryan.