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Junior Bridgeman, a 12-year NBA veteran and billionaire businessman, has died astatine the property of 71.
According to WLKY, Bridgeman had a aesculapian exigency astatine the 45th Annual Leadership Luncheon connected Scouting astatine The Galt House successful Louisville, Kentucky, Tuesday.
WLKY newsman Kent Taylor was interviewing Bridgeman arsenic portion of the programme to payment the Lincoln Heritage Council, Scouting America.
Bridgeman "expressed that helium thought helium was having a bosom attack" successful beforehand of hundreds of luncheon attendees, Taylor said.
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Emergency services were reportedly called immediately, and "people instantly jumped into enactment to help." Bridgeman was yet transported from the luncheon by ambulance and aboriginal died.
Louisville is wherever Bridgeman became a hoops fable earlier his concern acumen made him a person and philanthropist successful the city.
Bridgeman played his assemblage hoops astatine the University of Louisville from 1972-75, wherever helium made 2 Final Four runs nether legendary Cardinals manager Denny Crum.
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The Los Angeles Lakers made him the eighth wide prime of the 1975 NBA Draft, but helium was moved to the Milwaukee Bucks, the squad with which helium spent each but 2 seasons during his 12-year NBA career.
The shooting guard/small guardant averaged 13.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists, portion shooting 47.8% from the tract successful 711 vocation games for Milwaukee.
Bridgeman owned a 10% number involvement successful the Bucks, who released a lengthy connection aft learning astir his death.
"The Milwaukee Bucks are shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of Bucks fable and proprietor Junior Bridgeman," the squad posted. "Junior’s retired No. 2 jersey hangs successful Fiserv Forum, serving arsenic a changeless remembrance of his outstanding play connected the tribunal and his interaction connected the Bucks’ success.
"His hard enactment and perseverance led him to go 1 of the nation’s apical concern leaders and, past September, Junior's nonrecreational beingness came afloat ellipse erstwhile helium returned to the Bucks household arsenic an owner. His representation volition ever beryllium an inspiration to the Bucks organization."
The University of Louisville Athletics besides released a statement.
"Today, we mislaid a fable and beloved subordinate of the Louisville hoops family," it said. "Junior Bridgeman leaves an unmatched legacy, and we are everlastingly grateful for the interaction he’s made connected our program, our assemblage and our city. We nonstop our deepest condolences to the Bridgeman household and each who loved him."
In summation to his 10 seasons with the Bucks, Bridgeman played for the Los Angeles Clippers from 1984-86.
Bridgeman developed a knack for concern portion playing successful the NBA. He started investing successful Wendy’s fast-food restaurants, and his tiny investments rapidly turned into a 450-restaurant empire known arsenic Bridgeman Foods Inc.
Bridgeman besides dealt with Coca-Cola bottling operations and owned Ebony and Jet magazines.
Forbes had estimated Bridgeman’s nett worthy to beryllium $3.7 billion.
Bridgeman is survived by his wife, Doris, and 3 children — Eden, Justin and Ryan.
English (US) ·