Hall of Fame Basketball Player And Coach Lenny Wilkens Has Died at 88
It’s been a tough day in sports. League wide in the National Football League teams remembered the late Marshawn Kneeland. And the NFL also confirmed the loss of former NFL Commissioner, Paul Tagliabue. Now Sunday evening the National Basketball Association sadly says goodbye to another legend. Hall of Fame basketball player and coach Lenny Wilkens has died at 88.
Wilkens, who was known as the godfather of Seattle basketball, played for 15 seasons and his 1,332 wins as a head coach rank third all-time. Additionally, Lenny Wilkens is well-known as the basketball phenomenon who led the Sonics to their only NBA title and was an ambassador of Seattle basketball for more than half a century.
Whether playing or coaching Wilkens was simply a class act. A hard worker who positively impacted and influenced others. Lenny Wilkens was the Hawks coach for seven seasons, from 1993 through 2000. They had a .572 winning percentage, and his only losing season in Atlanta was his last year there. Wilkens coached an NBA record 2,487 games over 32 seasons with six different teams and has the third-most wins of any head coach in league history.
Hall of Fame Basketball Player And Coach Lenny Wilkens Has Died at 88
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding the passing of Basketball Hall of Famer Lenny Wilkens. Silver says,
“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. 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 truth.
I send my heartfelt condolences to Lenny’s wife, Marilyn; their children, Leesha, Randy and Amee; and all those throughout the NBA community who were fortunate to be touched by Lenny’s leadership and generosity?”
Yes, Lenny Wilkens was one of one and he shall certainly be remembered and missed. Wilkens was a nine-time NBA all-star player. And was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame three times – as a player, coach and member of the coaching staff for the 1992 Olympic “Dream Team.”
**Want Even More Sports, News, Hot Takes, Stats as well as Athlete Celebrity Sighting Updates; Insights as well as Trends? Well, be sure to join all of us Sports Feens over on Youtube to get an additional sports fix; and also don’t forget to check out all of our new Podcast topics and episodes. Plus, get fast highlights and trivia daily by following us on TikTok. Just Click HERE**
Thoughts on Phoenix Suns Jalen Green Suffers a Hamstring Injury Against the Los Angeles Clippers? Well let’s connect then you Feen! We are always around on social media posting as well as chatting away. And we would love to hear some POV from you. Therefore, join the discussion and talk all things Sports Feen; athletics as well as breaking industry news related with us by dropping a comment or two. Get into our comment section on YT; or also hit us up on our TikTok page or tweet us @SportsFeen.
