Mar 18, 2025 | NBA, Los Angeles, Sports, Valleys

World Loses a Good One in Junior Bridgeman

Former Basketball star and franchise Mogul Junior Bridgeman recently passed The cause was a cardiac event, a family spokesman said. Mr. Bridgeman had been talking to a reporter for a local television station during a charity event at the Galt House Hotel in Kentucky when he said he felt that he was having a heart attack, the spokesman said, and he was taken to a hospital, where he died.

Junior Bridgeman, wearing a shirt and tie but no jacket, stands in an office and holds what looks like a hamburger with several levels (but might be made of plastic) in both hands. He has short hair and a neatly trimmed mustache.

Junior Bridgeman owned nearly 400 fast-food chains.

By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer

Ulysses Lee Bridgeman Jr. was born in East Chicago Indiana to Ulysses Lee Bridgeman Sr., a steel mill worker, and Delores (Meaders) Bridgeman, a homemaker. He attended Washington High and was a member of their 1971 basketball team, which went undefeated (29–0) and won the Indiana state high school basketball championship. Among his teammates were his brother Sam, Pete Trgovich who would later play at UCLA and win 2 -National Titles under John Wooden, and Tim Stoddard who would win the 1983 World Series with the Baltimore Orioles.

Bridgeman attended the University of Louisville and played college basketball for the Cardinals. The A 6-foot-5-inch guard/forward was the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year in 1974 and 1975. Bridgeman led the Louisville Cardinals to the 1974 NCAA Division I basketball tournament as a junior. As a senior, he led the Cardinals to the Final Four of the 1975 NCAA Division I basketball tournament, where they lost to eventual NCAA champion UCLA 75–74 in the national semifinal.[6] In his collegiate career at Louisville, Bridgeman averaged 15.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 87 games.

While in college he and his teammates earned the nickname “Doctors of Dunk” referring to the University of Louisville hoops team of the 1970s and early 1980s, known for their dominant, dunk-heavy style of play under head coach Denny Crum, who won the team’s first national title in 1980.

After retirement, Junior was honored multiple times throughout his life which included being inducted into the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame, the University of Louisville College of Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame, and the Missouri Valley Conference Hall of Fame.

He was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in 1984 after nine seasons with the Bucks. The Bucks also sent Marques Johnson and Harvey Catchings to the Clippers for Terry Cummings, Craig Hodges, and Ricky Pierce.

After playing two seasons with the Clippers, Bridgeman returned to the Bucks for a final year before retiring in 1987. He is among the team leaders in franchise history in many statistical categories, including third in games played with 711, seventh in field goals made, ninth in total points, and 10th in minutes played.

Known for his generous spirit and unwavering belief in God’s plan, he touched countless lives through his words and actions. He was a devoted husband, father, and friend, whose presence brought warmth and encouragement to those around him.

“I didn’t even know he played basketball,” said CBS Morning host Gail King. “He was always helping young people.”

He is now at peace in his heavenly home, reunited with loved ones who have gone before him. Bridgeman is survived by his wife of 50 years, Doris; his three children, Justin (Rhonda), Ryan, and Eden (Greg); his six grandchildren; countless nieces, nephews, friends, colleagues, loved ones, and a legacy of faith, love, and service. Celebration of Life will take place this weekend 11:00 am on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Southeast Christian Church 920 Blankenbaker Pkwy. In lieu of flowers, they would love people to donate to the West End School in honor of Junior.

Checks can be made out to: West End School Mail to 3628 Virginia Ave., Louisville, KY 40211