NBA basketballs (Fiserv Forum)
The NBA world is in mourning after the tragic news that Junior Bridgeman has died.

Bridgeman, a local billionaire businessman and former basketball star in Louisville and the NBA, suffered a medical emergency Tuesday at The Galt House during the 45th Annual Leadership Luncheon on Scouting, which benefitted the Lincoln Heritage Council, Scouting America.

At one point, Junior Bridgeman was talking with an anchor from WLKY when he expressed that he thought he was having a heart attack.

He was taken away in an ambulance.

Unfortunately, he would never recover and tragically died. He was 71.

It was later confirmed by the Al J. Schneider Company, which owns the hotel, that Junior Bridgeman had passed away.

The former Louisville Cardinals great and NBA player leaves behind his wife Doris and three children, Eden, Justin, and Ryan.

Junior Bridgeman Made His Name With The Louisville Cardinals

Junior Bridgeman runs down the ball during a gam in January, 1987. (Dale Guldan / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Former NBA player-turned-billionaire businessman Junior Bridgeman has died at the age of 71 after suffering a medical emergency at a public event on Tuesday.

The younger crowd may not remember him, but he is an absolute legend.

Bridgeman starred at Louisville from 1972 to 1975, during which time he was twice named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year.

Bridgeman was a star of the 1975 Louisville Final Four team and was named to the All-MVC team in each of his three seasons at Louisville. He averaged 15.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, and three assists during his three seasons at Louisville.

His good play got him drafted No. 8 overall at the 1975 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. The team would then trade him to the Bucks in the deal to acquire Kareem-Abdul Jabbar.

Junior Bridgeman played his first nine seasons with the Bucks before a two-year stint with the Los Angeles Clippers.

His final season would be in Milwaukee before retiring from the NBA in 1987.