The Milwaukee Bucks and the wider basketball community are grappling with the loss of Junior Bridgeman. According to JSOnline, Bridgeman sadly passed away yesterday at the age of 71 after falling ill during an event in Louisville. A revered figure in basketball, Bridgeman's number 2 jersey was retired by the Bucks in 1988, an acknowledgment of his pivotal role in shaping the team's history. Beyond the court, he was known for his success in business, amassing a billion-dollar fortune.
The City of Milwaukee feels a deep sense of loss, with tributes pouring in to remember a local legend. WISN details how community members recalled Bridgeman's enduring impact, which extended well beyond his ten seasons with the Bucks. His jersey is emblematically displayed in Gee's Clippers, a local business on Dr. MLK Jr. Drive, and also adorns the rafters of the Fiserv Forum. Gaulien "Gee" Smith, owner of Gee's Clippers, fondly remembered the Bucks legend: "I've always been a Junior Bridgeman fan from when I was a kid."
Bridgeman's legacy goes beyond just the local sentiment; his impact was felt by those he played with and by players who followed in his footsteps. As recounted by Milwaukee's TMJ4, Jon McGlocklin, Bridgeman's former teammate, expressed his deep respect for the man: "Junior was such a quality human being his whole life," and "He was a great basketball player." Even though Bridgeman's tenure as a player eventually came to a close, his influence within the Bucks organization continued, having recently become a minority owner of the team.
While the Bucks community and fans continue to mourn, the full picture of Bridgeman's legacy stands clear: a Milwaukee Buck through and through, whose influence was to seamlessly transcend sport and endear him as a community figure. As details surrounding his unfortunate passing emerge, what remains undoubted is Bridgeman's mark on Milwaukee, one that cements him as an integral part of the city's fabric. His jersey serving as a lasting tribute to his life and career, hanging with reverence both in Gee's Clippers as well as in the Fiserv Forum, testament to a life extraordinarily lived.
