Mark Pope, John Calipari offer heartfelt condolences on passing of Junior Bridgeman

The state of Kentucky and sport of basketball felt a great loss Tuesday as former Louisville great Junior Bridgeman passed away at 71. Both current Kentucky coach Mark Pope and former Wildcats coach John Calipari were among the many people to offer their condolences.

“Condolences to the friends and family of Junior Bridgeman, a college basketball and NBA great, and a giant in the state of Kentucky,” Pope wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “He made a powerful impact throughout our commonwealth, and we will remember him fondly.”

Condolences to the friends and family of Junior Bridgeman, a college basketball and NBA great, and a giant in the state of Kentucky.

He made a powerful impact throughout our commonwealth, and we will remember him fondly.

— Mark Pope (@CoachMarkPope) March 11, 2025

Bridgeman played at Louisville from 1972-75 and was twice named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year. He averaged 15.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists across his career with the Cardinals before going on to be selected eighth overall in the 1975 NBA Draft to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Despite being drafted to the Lakers, Bridgeman would begin his career with the Milwaukee Bucks and play the next eight years of his career there. He then had a two-year stint with the Los Angeles Clippers before returning to Milwaukee for the 1986-87 season, his last before retiring. The 711 games he played for the Bucks was the most in franchise history at the time and his No. 2 jersey is retired in Fiserv Forum.

“I’m in shock and so sad hearing that Junior Bridgeman passed away,” Calipari wrote on X. “One of the nicest and caring person I’ve ever met. He was successful in everything he did. He was always looking for win win opportunities. He treated people right. He was beacon of hope for many and a mentor to anyone that asked his help. My prayers to his wife, children and extended family. This one hurts deep. RIP.”

I’m in shock and so sad hearing that Junior Bridgeman passed away. One of the nicest and caring person I’ve ever met. He was successful in everything he did. He was always looking for win win opportunities. He treated people right. He was beacon of hope for many and a mentor to…

— John Calipari (@CoachCalArk) March 11, 2025

Although Bridgeman never made more than $350,000 in a single season for his entire 12-year NBA career, he would go on to expand his net worth after basketball. He invested in several Wendy’s and Chili’s restaurants and started his own food company, Bridgeman Foods. A 2016 article in Forbes ranked him as the fourth-wealthiest former athlete in the world with an annual income of $32 million.

His business achievements earned him an induction into the Kentucky Entrepreneur Hall of Fame in 2014. Additionally, he was on the board of governors at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and the board of directors at Churchill Downs. He also served on Louisville’s Board of Trustees from 2016-17.