Lenny Wilkens died at his home on Sunday, people close to the 88-year-old told Tim Booth of The Seattle Times.
As Booth writes, Wilkens was one of only five people inducted to the Hall of Fame as both a player and coach.
A 6’1″ point guard, Wilkens made nine All-Star appearances in his 15 years as a player, holding career averages of 16.5 points, 6.7 assists and 4.7 rebounds in 1077 games (35.3 minutes per contest). He finished second in MVP voting during the 1967/68 season, Booth notes.
Wilkens’ illustrious coaching career began while he was still an active player with Seattle, the city he called home for more than 50 years. He led the SuperSonics to back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in the late 1970s, claiming the club’s lone championship in 1979.
“It lets people know Seattle has rich history,” Wilkens told the Times in 2022 on what was proclaimed “Lenny Wilkens Day.”
“I’m so happy to be a part of that history. This is basketball country. We should have never lost our team and I hope that this helps in some way get another team back. Everywhere I go, people talk about the Sonics and about that time when we won a championship. I don’t think that team gets the credit that it deserves. Gus (Williams), Fred (Brown), Jack (Sikma) and all of those guys became a part of this community and most of them still live here. It was a wonderful time.”
Wilkens, who also coached Portland, Cleveland, Atlanta, Toronto and New York, compiled a 1,332-1,155 regular season record (.536 winning percentage) over 32 years on the bench. Wilkens holds the third-most coaching victories in league history, as well as the NBA record for most games coached (2,487). Wilkens’ clubs made the playoffs in 20 of his 32 seasons as a head coach, according to Booth.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver released a statement after learning of Wilkens’ death (Twitter link).
“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,” Silver said. “So much so that, four years ago, Lenny received the unique distinction of being named one of the league’s 75 greatest players and 15 greatest coaches of all time.
“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.”
RIP to a HOF player and coach. You had some great teams in the 80’s and 90’s, shame you had to go thru Chicago every year it felt like. One of the most underrated players and coaching careers ever.
There’s only one word that pops into my mind when someone mentions Lenny Wilkens- ” Smooth”. He made everything look effortless. RIP to a great player and man.
Very Sad, but 88 is pretty good, I always held Lenny Wilkens in high regard, a classy man, husband and coach and a dapper dresser
May Lenny Wilkens Rest in Peace
PS The One Website called him a “Cool Cat!’ I will give him that too!
Yea if I made it to 88 I’d be pretty happy.
RIP Lenny Wilkens 🙏
9 time all star a real PG from BedStuy NYC …..
link to basketball-reference.com
Rip. Never saw anyone have a bad thing to say about the guy.
Tag in NFL
now Lenny in NBA
ugh sad day :(
This guy could out coach half of the NBA coaches today…..
“I’m so happy to be a part of that history. This is basketball country. We should have never lost our team and I hope that this helps in some way get another team back. Everywhere I go, people talk about the Sonics and about that time when we won a championship. I don’t think that team gets the credit that it deserves. Gus (Williams), Fred (Brown), Jack (Sikma) and all of those guys became a part of this community and most of them still live here. It was a wonderful time.”
Yes yes Lenny we will fight for a team in Seattle. Supersonics still one of the hippest names in sports.
Yep, moved up to Seattle in ‘76 for a number of years and really enjoyed the cheap tickets in the Kingdome starting in ‘78. Those two finals teams were great! Thank you Lenny. Never forget you. Coincidentally, some years later, I was playing against Wally Walker and we talked about how great Lenny Wilkins is (was RIP).
Lenny never beat his chest to get attention to prove how great he was. He was a man of quiet faith who understood that actions speak louder than words. As great of a player he was, and he was, and as great of a coach he was , and HE WAS, he was an even better human being. He was real class, through and through. I remember seeing him outside of St. Bernard’s Church in Akron after Mass one Sunday evening while he coached the Cavaliers, attending Mass because it was important to him, even though he had achieved the fame and notoriety so many seek. His Cavs teams were smart and played unselfishly, they were a thing to behold, demonstrating the beauty of the game, unlike the thugs in Detroit. RIP Lenny. You’ll be missed. If anyone wants to know how it should be done, Lenny was the guy who showed you, on and off the court.
Rip