As Sales space writes, Wilkens was one in every of solely 5 individuals inducted to the Corridor of Fame as each a participant and coach.
A 6-foot-1 level guard, Wilkens made 9 All-Star appearances in his 15 years as a participant, holding profession averages of 16.5 factors, 6.7 assists and 4.7 rebounds in 1077 video games (35.3 minutes per contest). He completed second in MVP voting throughout the 1967-68 season, Sales space notes.
Wilkens’ illustrious teaching profession started whereas he was nonetheless an energetic participant with Seattle, the town he known as dwelling for greater than 50 years. He led the SuperSonics to back-to-back NBA Finals appearances within the late Seventies, claiming the membership’s lone championship in 1979.
“It lets individuals know Seattle has wealthy historical past,” Wilkens informed the Occasions in 2022 on what was proclaimed “Lenny Wilkens Day.”
“I’m so completely happy to be part of that historical past. That is basketball nation. We should always have by no means misplaced our workforce and I hope that this helps indirectly get one other workforce again. In all places I am going, individuals speak in regards to the Sonics and about that point after we received a championship. I don’t assume that workforce will get the credit score that it deserves. Gus (Williams), Fred (Brown), Jack (Sikma) and all of these guys turned part of this group and most of them nonetheless reside right here. It was a beautiful time.”
Wilkens, who additionally coached Portland, Cleveland, Atlanta, Toronto and New York, compiled a 1,332-1,155 common season file (.536 successful share) over 32 years on the bench. Wilkens holds the third-most teaching victories in league historical past, in addition to the NBA file for many video games coached (2,487). Wilkens’ golf equipment made the playoffs in 20 of his 32 seasons as a head coach, in keeping with Sales space.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver released a statement after studying of Wilkens’ loss of life (Twitter link).
“Lenny Wilkens represented the perfect of the NBA — as a Corridor of Fame participant, Corridor of Fame coach, and one of many recreation’s most revered ambassadors,” Silver mentioned. “A lot in order that, 4 years in the past, Lenny obtained the distinctive distinction of being named one of many league’s 75 biggest gamers and 15 biggest coaches of all time.
“However much more spectacular than Lenny’s basketball accomplishments, which included two Olympic gold medals and an NBA championship, was his dedication to service — particularly in his beloved group of Seattle the place a statue stands in his honor. He influenced the lives of numerous younger individuals in addition to generations of gamers and coaches who thought of Lenny not solely an excellent teammate or coach but in addition a rare mentor who led with integrity and true class.
“I ship my heartfelt condolences to Lenny’s spouse Marilyn; their youngsters, Leesha, Randy and Jamee; and all these all through the NBA group who have been lucky to be touched by Lenny’s management and generosity.”
