By OLIVER SALT

Former NBA player-turned billionaire businessman Junior Bridgeman suffered a medical emergency while taking part in a public event on Tuesday.

Bridgeman, 71, was being interviewed at a benefit luncheon for the Lincoln Heritage Council, Scouting America, in front of hundreds of attendees when he expressed that he thought he was having a heart attack, according to WLKY.

After people jumped into action to help, the ex-Milwaukee Bucks and LA Clippers star was subsequently taken away in an ambulance.

Junior, whose real name is Ulysses, enjoyed more than a decade in the NBA, with the majority of his career spent in Milwaukee.

Since bowing out from basketball, he has gone on to become one of Louisville’s most prominent business leaders and philanthropists, with Forbes recently valuing his net worth at a staggering $1.4billion. 

After retiring from the NBA Bridgeman also invested what remained from his savings in fast-food chain Wendy’s and American diner Chili’s, owning over 100 restaurants before selling up in 2016.

Former NBA player Junior Bridgeman suffered a medical emergency at a public event Tuesday

Former NBA player Junior Bridgeman suffered a medical emergency at a public event Tuesday

That same year, the former small forward was ranked as the fourth-wealthiest retired athlete on the planet behind Michael Jordan, David Beckham and Arnold Palmer. 

Bridgeman also has his own restaurant franchise company, Bridgeman Foods Inc, and sports media firm Bridgeman Sports and Media, while he co-founded the investment firm Manna Capital Partners.

Last year he even bought a 10 percent stake in his beloved former team the Bucks, who are valued at a whopping $4bn.

To go along with his several other business ventures, the ex-Louisville college star is also a co-owner of the famous Valhalla Golf Club and has sat on many of the city’s boards.

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Ex-NBA player and billionaire Junior Bridgeman rushed away in ambulance after medical emergency at public event

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