News

50 Sports Greats Who Died In 2025: NBA Star & Bucks Owner Junior Bridgeman Died At 71

On March 11, University of Louisville Athletics Hall of Famer Junior Bridgeman died from a heart attack.

Bridgeman, 71,  was at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, when he reportedly said he felt like he was having a heart attack. He collapsed shortly after, and emergency personnel responded right away.

Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead shortly after.

>50 SPORTS GREATS WHO DIED IN 2025 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.

NBA legend Magic Johnson shared his condolences on X.

“But it was his character, his kindness, and his gentle soul that truly left a lasting impression on me,” Johnson said. “He was one of the nicest guys you would ever want to meet.

Bridgeman played his collegiate basketball at the University of Louisville. There, he was a two-time Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year, named an All-American, and helped lead the team to the Final Four.

He entered the 1975 NBA Draft and was selected No. 8 by the Los Angeles Lakers. He was traded shortly after to the Milwaukee Bucks, in a blockbuster trade that sent Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to the Lakers.

Bridgeman played 12 seasons in the NBA, carving out a role as a sixth man for most of his career. Many believe that if the Sixth Man of the Year Award were around, Bridgeman would have won it.

In 1988, the Bucks retired Bridgeman’s No. 2 jersey in honor of his productive contributions to the franchise. Bridgeman became an owner of the Bucks and Ebony magazine.

Alex Hernandez

Recent Posts

Lionel Messi Is Substituted For Muscle Fatigue During Inter Miami Match, Raising World Cup Concerns

Lionel Messi being substituted during an Inter Miami CF match due to muscle fatigue has…

4 hours ago

Is Dodgers’ Star Freddie Freeman Getting Ready To Retire?

Freddie Freeman may be entering the final years of his Hall of Fame baseball career,…

4 hours ago

After Felix Rosenqvist Wins Indy 500 In Photo Finish, What’s Next For Racing’s Rising Star?

After Felix Rosenqvist won the Indy 500 on Sunday in a photo finish, pundits are wondering what…

12 hours ago

Coach Nestor Lorenzo Announces Colombia’s 26-Man Squad For The 2026 FIFA World Cup

The Colombian national football team has announced its 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World…

12 hours ago

Social Media Erupts Over ‘Favoritism’ Shown To Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander By Refs During Playoffs

Controversy surrounded the NBA playoffs after Game 5 of the Western Conference finals between the…

12 hours ago

Floyd Mayweather Jr. Files Defamation Lawsuit Over Social Media Posts Amid Tax Troubles

Floyd Mayweather Jr. is back in the news, this time for a legal battle outside…

3 days ago