The NBA has lost an icon as former coach and player Lenny Wilkens passed away on Sunday at the age of 88.
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Wilkens, a Brooklyn native, entered the NBA as the sixth overall pick in the 1960 draft. He kicked off a 15-year career featuring stints with the St. Louis Hawks, Seattle SuperSonics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Portland Trail Blazers. Although he missed time in his second season due to a military commitment.
Wilkens delivered on the court while earning All-Star honors and leading the Hawks to six playoff appearances. He continued to earn All-Star honors after heading to the SuperSonics, and he took on a new role in 1969 and beyond. Wilkens began working as a player-coach, a role that put him on the path toward future greatness.
We would like to extend our condolences to the family and friends of the great Lenny Wilkens. Beyond his excellence as a player and a coach, he was an innovator, a trailblazer, a winner and a leader not just in Atlanta but every community in which he played and coached.
In… pic.twitter.com/mREYj0feaN
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) November 10, 2025
Wilkens, a Hall of Fame player, moved into full-time coaching with the 1975-76 season. He spent this season with the Trail Blazers but returned to the SuperSonics the following year.
It was with the SuperSonics that Wilkens further added to his legacy in the sport. He led the Seattle team to the NBA Finals in 1977-78, where they fell short of the championship. However, the team returned the following season and won its only title.
Wilkens continued coaching through the 2004-05 season while guiding multiple teams. His resume included stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors, and New York Knicks.
"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," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.
"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."
