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Basketball lost one of its true legends as Lenny Wilkens, a towering figure who made history as both a Hall of Fame player and coach, passed away Sunday at the age of 88. His family confirmed he died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones. Wilkens’ basketball journey was one of rare brilliance and grace. A nine-time NBA All-Star and the first coach in league history to reach 1,000 wins, he remains one of the sport’s most respected figures. Over an unmatched 2,487 games coached — still an NBA record — Wilkens left an enduring mark on every team he touched. In 1979, he led the Seattle SuperSonics to their only NBA Championship, becoming a civic icon in the city that still reveres him as the godfather of Seattle basketball. Seattle didn’t just lose a basketball icon. We lost a man who believed in people — on the court and in the community. Thank you, Lenny Wilkens, for everything you gave this city. ?? pic.twitter.com/Hw94AZjStq — Seattle Supersonics (@SeattleSonics) November 9, 2025 His leadership extended to the international stage, where he guided the U.S. men’s basketball team to Olympic gold in 1996 after serving as an assistant on the fabled 1992 “Dream Team.” “Lenny Wilkens represented the very best of the NBA — as a player, coach, and ambassador,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a tribute. “He influenced generations of players and coaches who considered him a mentor who led with integrity and true class.” Born in Brooklyn in 1937, Wilkens’ basketball education began on the city’s playgrounds before starring at Providence College and being drafted sixth overall by the St. Louis Hawks in 1960. Over 15 seasons, he played for the Hawks, SuperSonics, Cavaliers, and Trail Blazers — earning All-Star honors at age 35. Beyond the court, Wilkens was known for his calm, cerebral leadership. “Leaders don’t yell and scream,” he once said — a philosophy that defined his decades in basketball. (with AP inputs)
