Junior Bridgeman, a former NBA player known for his time with the Milwaukee Bucks, passed away at the age of 71 in Louisville, Ky., due to a cardiac event. Beyond his 12-season NBA career, Bridgeman distinguished himself as a successful entrepreneur, amassing a net worth of $1.4 billion through fast-food restaurant acquisitions, a Coca-Cola bottling business, and a minority stake in the Bucks. His impact as a sixth man and his entrepreneurial achievements have inspired many current and former athletes.
Mr. Bridgeman's business success brought him a net worth of $1.4 billion this year, Forbes magazine said, putting him in rare air alongside Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and LeBron James.
Mr. Johnson, writing on X after the death, recalled that Mr. Bridgeman, a former small forward, had one of the sweetest jump shots in the N.B.A.
He stood out as a sixth man who provided a scoring boost off the bench for a Milwaukee team that largely excelled under Coach Don Nelson.
Mr. Bridgeman had helped create a blueprint for so many current and former athletes across sports that success doesn't end when you're done playing.
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