Lenny Wilkens, a towering figure in basketball history and a three-time inductee into the Basketball Hall of Fame, has passed away at the age of 88. His family announced his death on Sunday, stating he was surrounded by loved ones. The cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
Wilkens was celebrated not only for his skills as one of the finest point guards of his era but also for his remarkable career as a coach. He led a total of 2,487 games in the NBA, a record that still stands today. His contributions to the sport earned him a Hall of Fame induction as both a player and a coach, as well as recognition as an assistant coach for the 1992 U.S. Olympic team, where he helped secure a gold medal. He also coached the U.S. team to victory at the 1996 Atlanta Games.
A Legacy of Excellence
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed deep respect for Wilkens, stating, “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.” Wilkens was named among the league’s 75 greatest players and 15 greatest coaches in a special tribute four years ago.
During his playing career, Wilkens was a nine-time All-Star and became the first coach to accumulate 1,000 wins in the NBA. He was the second individual ever inducted into the Hall of Fame for both playing and coaching. His coaching prowess culminated in leading the Seattle SuperSonics to the NBA championship in 1979. His influence on basketball in Seattle remained profound, particularly after the Sonics relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008.
Wilkens was known for his composed demeanor, famously stating, “Leaders don’t yell and scream.” His approach to coaching earned him the NBA Coach of the Year award in 1994 while with the Atlanta Hawks. He retired with 1,332 coaching wins, a record that was later surpassed by Don Nelson and Gregg Popovich.
A Life Dedicated to Service
Born on October 28, 1937, in New York, Wilkens honed his basketball skills on the playgrounds of Brooklyn and at Boys High School. He later starred at Providence College before being drafted by the St. Louis Hawks as the sixth overall pick in 1960. His playing accolades alone would have warranted Hall of Fame consideration, but his coaching career solidified his legacy.
Wilkens received numerous honors throughout his life, including induction into the FIBA Hall of Fame, the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, and the College Basketball Hall of Fame. His coaching journey spanned several teams, including two stints with the SuperSonics, two seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, and time spent with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors, and New York Knicks.
Former Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who played under Wilkens from 1989 to 1993, remembered him for his dignity and leadership. Kerr noted, “He was such a dignified human being and a great leader with this kind of quiet confidence.”
Wilkens achieved a significant milestone on January 6, 1995, while coaching the Hawks, surpassing Red Auerbach’s record to become the winningest coach in NBA history at that time. His journey into coaching began when he agreed to play and coach simultaneously, a decision made during a casual game of pool with SuperSonics general manager Dick Vertlieb.
After retiring from coaching in 2005, Wilkens continued to influence the community through his foundation, which primarily supported the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic in Seattle. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, their children Leesha, Randy, and Jamee, and seven grandchildren.
Wilkens leaves behind a legacy marked by not only his achievements on the court but also his commitment to the community and the countless lives he touched throughout his storied career.
