MILWAUKEE — Ulysses “Junior” Bridgeman died Tuesday after suffering medical event. Bridgeman was 71.
Bridgeman played at the University of Louisville under Hall of Fame coach Denny Crum. He helped the Cardinals win two MVC titles and took them to the 1975 Final Four. He went on to play in the NBA, becoming a legendary Milwaukee Bucks player, where he spent 10 seasons of his career.
In 1988, the Bucks retired his jersey, No. 2.
In 2024, he became a significant minority owner of the Bucks.
Here, we take a look back at just a few snapshots of his life and legacy:
Junior Bridgeman was the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year in 1974 and 1975. He helped lead UofL to a 72-17 record in his three years with the school. (Louisville Athletics)
Junior Bridgeman helped the Cardinals win two MVC titles and took them to the 1975 Final Four. (Louisville Athletics)
New Milwaukee Bucks minority owner Junior Bridgeman, left, talks with Bucks guard Damian Lillard at the Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin Sports Science Center Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Steve Megargee)
Former Milwaukee Bucks player Junior Bridgeman talks to the media before an NBA basketball game between the Bucks and Brooklyn Nets, March 1, 2014, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps, File)
Junior Bridgeman played at the University of Louisville under Hall of Fame coach Denny Crum. He helped the Cardinals win two MVC titles and took them to the 1975 Final Four. (Louisville Athletics)
Seattle's Gus Williams holds Milwaukee's Junior Bridgeman's hand as they walk off the court following the Supersonics' 86-85 victory in NBA playoff action, April 19, 1980 in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Steve Pyle, File)
Former Milwaukee Bucks player Junior Bridgeman, center, stands with, from left, co-owner Jimmy Haslam, broadcaster Marques Johnson, coach Doc Rivers and player Khris Middleton after a press conference announcing his purchase in a minority stake of the NBA franchise Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Steve Megargee)
Junor Bridgeman, a basketball great for the University of Louisville and the Milwaukee Bucks, has died. He was 71. (Louisville Athletics)
Junior Bridgeman was a guard/forward for the Louisville Cardinals from 1972-1975. He died at the age of 71 on March 11, 2025. (Louisville Athletics)
The 1974-1975 Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team. (Left to right) Danny Brown (12), Billy Harmon (32), Rick Wilson (42) Junior Bridgeman (10), Stanley Bunton (24), William Bunton (33), Ricky Gallon (13), Ike Whitfield (40), Wesley Cox (41), Allen Murphy (20), Phillip Bond (30) and Terry Howard (23). (Louisville Athletics)
Louisville forward Allen Murphy and guard/forward Junior Bridgeman pose with "The Thinker" at the University of Louisville campus in 1975. (Louisville Athletics)
Junior Bridgeman in an undated picture. He played at UofL from 1972-1975 and was drafted #8 in the 1975 NBA draft. He spent 12 seasons in the NBA with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers. (Louisville Athletics)
Louisville forward Allen Murphy and guard/forward Junior Bridgeman in 1975. (Louisville Athletics)
