SEATTLE — Seattle icon and Basketball Hall of Famer, Lenny Wilkens, has died at age 88.
According to the Associated Press, he was surrounded by loved ones when he died. The family has not released the cause of death.
The following has been released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/oZQpUiuHkT
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) November 9, 2025
Wilkens led the Seattle SuperSonics to their 1978-79 NBA championship title.
Six years ago, KIRO 7 debuted SuperSonics: Golden Era of Basketball, a 30-minute special celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Seattle 1979 NBA Championship. You can watch the documentary here:
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell released the following statement regarding Wilkens’ death:
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Lenny Wilkens, a trailblazing Seattle icon and legendary figure in the history of basketball. One of the most accomplished and respected individuals in professional sports, Lenny broke down barriers to become the second Black coach in NBA history. He opened the door for other athletes and coaches to follow, modeling a standard of excellence through his humility and grace.
“Lenny was more than just a championship coach and basketball legend – he was a community hero who made it his life’s mission to uplift and empower others. His philanthropic work with the Lenny Wilkens Foundation has benefitted thousands of youth and families in our region, a testament to his compassion and generosity.
“Lenny was generous with both his time and with his kindness. From the moment I met him, Lenny quickly became a personal friend and a mentor. I’ve always felt incredibly honored to have been able to spend time with him and to learn from him, and I know there are so many others who feel the same way.
“Seattle will always remember Lenny for his tenacity, strength, and the legacy he built both on the court and in our community. My condolences are with his family, loved ones, and everyone he knew and inspired.”
In June of this year, Climate Pledge Arena unveiled a statue of him outside the arena.
In 2021, Seattle councilmembers voted to rename a portion of Thomas Street between 1st and 2nd Avenue North as “Lenny Wilkens Way.”
His career
Wilkens was drafted by the St. Louis Hawks in the 1960 NBA draft.
He spent eight seasons there and was eventually traded to the Sonics.
He spent four seasons playing in Seattle and was an All-Star in three of them.
Wilkens was eventually traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1972 and spent two seasons there. He then went on to play a single season for the Portland Trail Blazers.
He went on to six different franchises during 32 seasons on the sidelines, including the Sonics from 1977 to 1985.
Wilkens had 1332 wins during his career as a coach, making him the winningest coach in NBA history at the time of his retirement.
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