Seattle SuperSonics legend Lenny Wilkens has died, his family announced Sunday. He was 88 years old.
Wilkens was the head coach for the Sonics during their only run to an NBA title in 1979. The Brooklyn native spent 15 seasons in the NBA as a player, including four with the Sonics from 1968-72. He was a head coach for 32 seasons, including two stints totaling 11 seasons with Seattle from 1969-72 and 1977-85. He was a player-coach for the Sonics from 1969-72.
Statue unveiled for Seattle SuperSonics legend Lenny Wilkens
The 88-year-old Wilkens was one of just five people to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame as both player and coach. He was inducted as a player in 1989 and as a coach in 1998. Wilkens was inducted for a third time for his role as an assistant coach on the famed 1992 U.S. Olympic “Dream Team.” Wilkens coached the Americans to gold at the Atlanta Games as well in 1996.
A 6-foot-1 point guard, Wilkens averaged 16.5 points, 6.7 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game over his decorated NBA career. He was a nine-time All-Star, including three times with the Sonics.
Wilkens retired from coaching in 2005. At the time, he was the NBA’s all-time wins leader with 1,332, a mark that has been passed twice since. He still leads the NBA with 2,487 games coached. In 1994, he was named NBA Coach of the Year in his first season with the Atlanta Hawks.
After his coaching career ended, Wilkens returned to the Seattle area where he lived every offseason. Wilkens ran his foundation for decades, with its primary benefactor being the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic in Seattle’s Central District.
He became the first person to have a statue outside of Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena when a 700-pound sculpture depicting the Hall of Famer during his playing days was unveiled in June.
Wilkens is survived by his wife, Marilyn; their children, Leesha, Randy and Jamee; and seven grandchildren.
The NBA released the following statement on Wilkens from commissioner Adam Silver:
Lenny Wilkens represented the very best of the NBA – as a Hall of Fame player, Hall of Fame coach, and one of the game’s most respected ambassadors. So much so that, four years ago, Lenny received the unique distinction of being named on of the league’s 75 greatest players and 15 greatest coaches of all time,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a release.
But even more impressive than Lenny’s basketball accomplishments, which included two Olympic Gold medals and an NBA Championship, was his commitment to service – especially in his beloved community of Seattle where a statue stands in his honor.
He influenced the lives of countless young people as well as generations of players and coaches who considered Lenny not only a great teammate or coach but also an extraordinary mentor who led with integrity and true class.
I send my heartfelt condolences to Lenny’s wife, Marilyn; their children, Leesha, Randy and Jamee; and all those throughout the NBA community who were fortunate to be touched by Lenny’s leadership and generosity.
Information from the Associated Press was used for this report.
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