LeBron James Gives Big-Time Shoutout To Fellow Pioneering NBA Billionaire

Shandel Richardson | Feb 13, 2025

Feb 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) dribbles past Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) during the first quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images / Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images

Everyone knows Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and LeBron James are part of the exclusive NBA billionaire club.

Few, however, are aware of the fourth member of this group.

Jabari Young of Forbes tells the incredible story of former player Junior Bridgeman, who built a successful business empire after retiring in 1987. He spent most of his 12-year career with the Milwaukee Bucks. In the article, James and Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas show their respect for Bridgeman.

“He didn’t waste his time just thinking about the game of basketball,” James tells Forbes.

Thomas added, “Legendary. “He’s the real success story. A pioneer and a great businessman.”

The full story of Bridgeman's rise can be read here.

EX NBA-ALL-STAR DETAILS RAPPER'S SPENDING IN STRIP CLUBS

Former NBA player Antoine Walker was mostly known for mismanaging his $100-million fortune.

The positive is Walker used his mistakes to teach valuable lessons to young NBA stars. After his career ended, he worked his way back from bankruptcy and became a financial adviser to educate the next generation.

But Walker had all kinds of issues with money before turning things around in 2008. He wore fancy suits while playing for the Miami Heat, winning a title alongside Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O'Neal in 2006. Before that, he started to realize it was in his best interest to avoid trying to keep up with others' spending.

He learned in 2005 when he played with the Atlanta Hawks. That's when he began linking up with rapper/promoter and Atlanta native Big Meech. He spoke of it during a podcast appearance with blogger TL Young Boss.

"I got an opportunity to be in the strip club and party with those guys," Walker said. "They had Atlanta on lock. Had a couple of experiences with them the way they do it in a strip club."

Walker, who made $108 million in his career, even had difficulty keeping pace. Their spending was outrageous.

"They were ballers and they rolled deep," Walker said. "I think that's the one thing that really stood out to me. They were 30-4- deep at times. They basically take over the whole strip club and I've been in there a couple times and witnessed that. They did it a little different. They don't buy drinks. Everybody buys a bottle. If it's 40 of them, all I seen was 40 bottles. I used to think I was balling at the club."

Shandel Richardson is the publisher of Back In The Day Hoops On SI. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com