SEATTLE — Lenny Wilkens, one of basketball’s most revered figures, whose impact on the game spanned more than five decades as both a player and a coach, and who did countless hours of volunteer work in the Seattle community to benefit children, passed away on Sunday. He was 88.
His family says he passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, surrounded by his family.
This past June, he was honored with the first statue outside Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, a building that borders a street with his name on it.
Born on October 28, 1937, in Brooklyn, New York, Wilkens quickly distinguished himself as a gifted athlete. After an outstanding college career at Providence College, he entered the NBA in 1960, beginning a playing career that would earn him nine All-Star selections. Known for his calm leadership and exceptional court vision, he became one of the league’s premier point guards and left an indelible mark on every team he joined.
Wilkens transitioned into coaching while still an active player, a rare feat that underscored his deep understanding of the game. Over a coaching career that spanned more than 30 years, he amassed 1332 wins, holding the record as the winningest coach in NBA history at the time of his retirement. He led the Seattle SuperSonics to their first and only NBA championship in 1979 and also guided the Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks, and other teams with a philosophy rooted in teamwork, intelligence, and integrity.
Beyond statistics, Wilkens was celebrated for his mentorship and the relationships he cultivated with players, colleagues, and communities. He was a nine-time NBA All-Star as a player, a seven-time All-Star as a coach, and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame three times: once as a player in 1989 and again as a coach in 1998, a testament to his singular influence on the sport. He was also inducted for his role on the 1992 Dream Team, which went into the hall in 2010.
Wilkens’ legacy extended beyond the court. He was known for his generosity, humility, and commitment to using his platform to give back to others, inspiring generations of players and fans alike. He spent years leading the Lenny Wilkens Foundation, hosting annual galas and golf tournaments to raise money for the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic in Seattle. In numerous interviews, Wilkens would stress how important he felt it was to make the community a better place for children. In recent years, he had volunteered at numerous basketball camps for Rise Above, to support and empower native youth.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Marilyn, three children, and seven grandchildren.
