Remembering Lenny Wilkens (1937-2025)
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of basketball legend Lenny Wilkens, who died on November 9, 2025, at the age of 88.
Luka Doncic | Los Angeles Lakers
A Remarkable Life, On and Off the Court
Born on October 28, 1937 in Brooklyn, New York, Wilkens rose from a challenging childhood in Bedford-Stuyvesant to become one of the most respected figures in basketball history.
As a player, Wilkens spent 15 seasons in the NBA, earning nine All-Star selections, and ended his playing career with career averages of 16.5 points and 6.7 assists per game.
Transitioning into coaching, he broke new ground:
He coached a record 2,487 NBA games.
He recorded 1,332 coaching wins—a tremendous achievement in the league.
In 1979, he led the Seattle SuperSonics to their first and only NBA Championship.
He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a player (1989), as a coach (1998), and again as part of the 1992 U.S. Olympic “Dream Team” staff (2010).
Legacy of Character and Community
Beyond statistics, what made Wilkens remarkable was his quiet leadership, his integrity, and his influence.
He was called the “godfather of Seattle basketball,” where his legacy still stands strong, symbolized in part by a statue erected in his honor outside what is now the Climate Pledge Arena.
His impact extended off the court too—he believed in using his platform to uplift young people, mentor coaches and players, and build community. He once said:
“I’ve been fortunate to live the life that I have… But the biggest part, I feel I’ve been able to help people, especially young people. That’s given me a joy I can’t describe.”
A Lasting Footprint
Wilkens’ legacy bridges eras: from point guard prowess in the 1960s, to championship coach in the 1970s, to respected elder statesman later in life. The list of his honors is long — NBA’s 75 Greatest Players and 15 Greatest Coaches among them.
For the readers of Playmakers Press, his story is a reminder of the values of dedication, humility, and leadership—not just in sport, but in life.
In Our Hearts
Lenny Wilkens is survived by his family and the countless lives he touched through basketball and civic service. Though the game loses an icon, his example remains.
As we remember him, we celebrate not just what he achieved, but how he achieved it—with grace, intellect, and a belief in others.
May his memory continue to inspire.
