Former Milwaukee Bucks legend, Junior Bridgeman, passes

Former Milwaukee Bucks small forward Junior Bridgeman died Tuesday, March 11, 2025 after suffering a medical emergency in Louisville, CT according to Al J. Schneider Company, which represents the Galt House, where Bridgeman was earlier in the day.

Bridgeman, 71, was a former basketball star at the University of Louisville.

It happened at the Galt House during the 45th annual Leadership Luncheon on Scouting, which benefits the Lincoln Heritage Council, Scouting America.

While he was talking with a WLKY anchor, Bridgeman expressed that he thought he was having a heart attack. People immediately jumped into action to help, and when emergency medical services arrived, he was taken away in an ambulance.

In September 2024, he became a minority owner of the Bucks.

“So, when this opportunity presented itself, it just seemed like a natural thing for me to get a chance to be part not just in the heart but physically of the organization going forward,” he said then.

Bridgeman, who played 10 seasons with the Bucks from 1975-84 and 1986-87, was one of the NBA’s top bench players during his tenure. He averaged double figures in scoring for eight consecutive seasons and helped the team reach the playoffs eight times.

His No. 2 jersey was retired by the Bucks in 1988.

He also built a fast-food empire, investing in Wendy’s, Chili’s and Coca-Cola, making him one of the world’s wealthiest athletes.