Junior Bridgeman lately performed within the NBA in the course of the 1986-87 season when he was a member of the Milwaukee Bucks.
On Tuesday, the heartbreaking information that he died was introduced.
By way of the Milwaukee Bucks: “We’re shocked and saddened by the tragic loss of life of the legend of Bucks and the junior proprietor Bridgeman. We ship our most honest condolences to his household.”
We’re shocked and saddened by the tragic loss of life of the legend of Bucks and the junior proprietor Bridgeman. We ship our deepest condolences to his household. pic.twitter.com/xakotcdef5
– Milwaukee Bucks (@bucks) March 11, 2025
Many individuals within the NBA world reacted to the information, and an individual who despatched a place was basketball magic Johnson.
His place had greater than 6,000 likes and 250,000 impressions in lower than six hours.
Johnson wrote: “I’m saddened to listen to concerning the loss of life of my good friend Junior Bridgeman. I had the privilege of enjoying towards him, and I’ll always remember how he had one of many sweetest blows of the NBA. But it surely was his character, his kindness and his candy soul that actually answered you.
What individuals don’t notice is that Junior didn’t make a fortune as a participant, however he reworked what he has gained into one thing extraordinary, turning into an African-American billionaire businessman on this nation. His enterprise portfolio included the possession of 450 Wendy and Chile franchises in 20 states, Coca-Cola visitors jam operations in the US and Canada, Ebony and Jet Magazines, Valhalla Golf Membership in Louisville, and he was a minority proprietor of the Milwaukee Bucks. Junior additionally sat on the boards of administrators of PGA of America, Churchill Downs Inc, Fifth Third Financial institution, Jackson Hewitt, Governors Scholar Program, Campaign for Kids Basis, Board of Trustees from the College of Louisville, Louisville Enviornment Authority, and much more. It’s the plan of so many present and outdated athletes by means of sport that success doesn’t finish when you’ve completed enjoying.
Past enterprise, Junior and his spouse Doris had an enduring affect by opening doorways for African-Individuals in Kentucky Derby. Because of their annual efforts to rejoice earlier than the sectors and fundraising, they gave entry to so many many, together with myself, to reside this emblematic occasion – one thing that had traditionally been out of attain for a lot of in our neighborhood.
Thanks, junior, for being an inspiration on the best way of being a person, a husband, a father and a businessman. You could have spent a big a part of your mentoring and schooling athletes athletes and I all the time consult with your journey after I converse to younger athletes of the sector or land transition to the convention room. Your inheritance will transcend past your monetary success on the doorways you’ve opened to so many inspiring generations to return. Relaxation in peace, my good friend. Cookie and I’ll pray for his spouse Doris, Children Eden, Justin and Ryan, and the entire Bridgeman household “
I’m saddened to be taught the loss of life of my good friend Junior Bridgeman. I had the privilege of enjoying towards him, and I’ll always remember how he had one of many sweetest boosts within the NBA. But it surely was his character, his kindness and his candy soul that actually left a sustainable … pic.twitter.com/i3xa3fgwuu
– Earvin Magic Johnson (@magicjohnson) March 11, 2025
Bridgeman spent 12 seasons within the NBA with the Bucks and the Clippers.
His profession averages are 13.6 factors, 3.5 rebounds and a couple of.4 assists per competitors whereas pulling 47.5% on the sector in 849 video games.
