He collapsed during a fundraising event in Louisville, Kentucky, and was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Bridgeman
grew up in East Chicago, Indiana, and led his high school basketball team to a
state championship in 1971. He played college basketball at the University of
Louisville, guiding the team to the Final Four in 1975. That same year, he was
drafted eighth overall by the Los Angeles Lakers but was traded to the
Milwaukee Bucks as part of the deal for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
During
his 12-year NBA career, primarily with the Bucks, Bridgeman averaged 13.6
points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. He was renowned as one of the
league's best sixth men and served as president of the National Basketball
Players Association from 1985 to 1988.
After
retiring from basketball, Bridgeman became a successful entrepreneur. He owned
over 450 fast-food franchises, became a Coca-Cola bottler, and purchased Ebony
and Jet magazines. In 2024, he bought a 10% stake in the Milwaukee Bucks.
NBA
Commissioner Adam Silver expressed his condolences, stating that Bridgeman was
a mentor to many NBA players and athletes, teaching them how to succeed in
business.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg
also mourned his passing, highlighting Bridgeman's quiet and impactful
assistance to those in need.
Bridgeman
is survived by his wife, Doris, and their three children: Eden, Justin, and
Ryan
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