Lenny Wilkens was one of basketball’s most accomplished figures, earning legendary status as both a player and coach. His six-decade career left a lasting impact on the NBA, the Olympics, and the city of Seattle. Wilkens is uniquely honored as both one of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players and Top 10 Coaches, with this distinction continuing to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team and Top 15 Coaches list.
Drafted 6th overall by the St. Louis Hawks in 1960, Wilkens was a left-handed point guard celebrated for his vision, scoring, and quiet determination. Over 15 years, he played for the St. Louis Hawks, Seattle SuperSonics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Portland Trail Blazers, earning nine All-Star selections and the 1971 NBA All-Star Game MVP. He retired in 1975 ranked second on the NBA’s all-time assist list, averaging 16.5 points and 6.7 assists per game.
Wilkens leaned seamlessly into coaching, starting as a player-coach for the Seattle SuperSonics and Portland Trail Blazers. He led six NBA teams, including two stints with Seattle, and won the 1994 NBA Coach of the Year award with the Atlanta Hawks. Wilkens holds the NBA record for most regular-season games coached (2,487) and was the first coach to reach 1,000 wins, finishing with 1,332 victories—third all-time.
Internationally, Wilkens is a three-time Hall of Fame inductee: as a player (1989), coach (1998), and assistant coach for the 1992 U.S. Olympic “Dream Team” (2010). He also led the 1996 U.S. men’s basketball team to Olympic gold in Atlanta.
Beyond the court, Wilkens is celebrated for his dignity, mentorship, and community service. Often called Seattle’s “godfather of basketball,” he has raised millions for the city through the Lenny Wilkens Foundation. In June 2025, his legacy was honored with a statue outside Climate Pledge Arena. Wilkens’ story is a testament to longevity, class, and excellence in professional sports.
