Offensive Game
Reliable scorer averaging 13+ PPG per season, primarily off the bench. Expert mid-range shooter and high-percentage free-throw shooter.
Career Journey
Los Angeles Lakers
1975
Ulysses Lee "Junior" Bridgeman Jr. was an American professional basketball player and businessman. Bridgeman played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers from 1975 until 1987. Following his career, Bridgeman owned hundreds of fast-food restaurants, became a Coca-Cola bottler and distributor, and acquired Ebony and Jet magazines. Despite never making more than $350,000 a season during his NBA career, Bridgeman had a net worth of over $1.4 billion, making him one of the wealthiest former athletes in the world.
Offensive Game
Reliable scorer averaging 13+ PPG per season, primarily off the bench. Expert mid-range shooter and high-percentage free-throw shooter.
Defensive Game
Competent but not elite defender. His offensive consistency was the primary value proposition.
Intangibles
High-IQ veteran who understood his role completely and maximized every opportunity from the bench.
Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks
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Milwaukee Bucks
1975-1984
Los Angeles Clippers
1984-1985
Milwaukee Bucks
1986-1987
Personal Life & Family
Partner
Doris Bridgeman
Parents & Siblings
Off the Court
Milwaukee community development foundation
Youth entrepreneurship programs
Did You Know?
Built a restaurant franchise empire of over 450 Wendy's and Chili's locations after retirement — making him one of the wealthiest former professional athletes in American sports history.
Was traded to Milwaukee on the same night the Bucks traded Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to the Lakers — arriving as part of the transaction that reshaped both franchises.
Became publisher of Ebony and Jet magazines in 2016, adding media ownership to his business portfolio.
Has spoken about how the discipline of professional sports — fundamentals, consistency, and long-term thinking — directly informed his business success.
Career Honors
Franchise career games played leader at time of retirement
Twice All-Sixth Man Award candidate
One of the NBA's most successful business executives post-career
Milwaukee Bucks · Official
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