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Lenny Wilkens, NBA Legend, Passes Away at 88

11/11/2025

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Summary

Lenny Wilkens Honored

Lenny Wilkens died at age 88, surrounded by family.
He was a three-time inductee into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a player and coach, and founded the Lenny Wilkens Foundation.
Wilkens played 15 NBA seasons, earned nine All-Star selections, and led the Seattle SuperSonics to the 1979 championship.
He holds the NBA record for most games coached (2,487) and has a statue in Seattle honoring his legacy.

History

Historical Context

Established in 1959 in Springfield, Massachusetts, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame honors exceptional contributors to basketball, including its inventor, Dr. James Naismith. Lenny Wilkens, a three-time inductee, exemplified this legacy with nine All-Star selections and coaching the Seattle SuperSonics to their 1979 NBA championship, solidifying his enduring impact on the sport.

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Lenny Wilkens Honored

Lenny Wilkens died at age 88, surrounded by family.
He was a three-time inductee into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a player and coach, and founded the Lenny Wilkens Foundation.
Wilkens played 15 NBA seasons, earned nine All-Star selections, and led the Seattle SuperSonics to the 1979 championship.
He holds the NBA record for most games coached (2,487) and has a statue in Seattle honoring his legacy.

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