Goodbyes were never meant to be easy, especially when it’s someone who shaped the very soul of the game you love. That’s exactly what the NBA world is feeling right now. Lenny Wilkens, the legendary figure whose name became synonymous with coaching excellence, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday at the age of 88. A league champion and three-time Hall of Fame inductee, Wilkens was the mastermind who turned basketball into poetry. The NBA community now stands by his family, united in grief and gratitude for the legacy he leaves behind.

But Wilkens’ story didn’t end as a player. Towards the latter part of his career, he became a player-coach in Seattle and Portland, a rare feat that hinted at his future as one of the game’s greatest minds. By 1979, he had guided the Seattle SuperSonics to the franchise’s only NBA championship, a pinnacle moment that forever tied him to the city.

His coaching career, however, would far outlast his playing days, spanning an incredible 32 seasons and 2,487 games, still the most in NBA history. Along the way, he became the first coach to reach 1,000 wins and finished with 1,332 victories, placing him third all-time behind Don Nelson and Gregg Popovich.

Wilkens’ influence extended beyond the NBA. He served as an assistant on the legendary 1992 U.S. Olympic “Dream Team” and led the Americans to gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, shaping generations of players on the world stage. His contributions earned him a rare honor: induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame three times: as a player in 1989, as a coach in 1998, and as part of the Olympic team in 2010. Only five men in history, including Wilkens, have been inducted as both player and coach, placing him in the company of legends like John Wooden and Bill Russell.

Even as accolades piled up: Coach of the Year in 1994, nine-time All-Star, All-Star Game MVP in 1971, selections to the NBA’s 50th and 75th Anniversary teams, Wilkens’ legacy remained personal, tied to mentorship, integrity, and a love of the game. His No. 19 was retired by the Sonics, and Seattle continues to honor him, remembering a man who made the game bigger, brighter, and better.

How do you sum up a career that shaped basketball so profoundly? Lenny Wilkens didn’t just win games; he taught others to dream bigger, play smarter, and carry themselves with grace.

Honoring Lenny Wilkens: Tributes pour in from across the NBA

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr hadn’t heard the news until reporters told him and the moment it sank in, a memory came rushing back. “Just one flashed into my head where he joined the scrimmage where we had a bunch of guys injured,” Kerr recalled. “This would have been around 1990 or 91 and he jumped into the scrimmage and he could still play. You know he was think he’s the only the only guy I know of who was Hall of Fame player and Hall of Fame coach. You know two different ways and maybe maybe there’s one or two others, but I didn’t. I didn’t watch him play. I wasn’t old enough to see him play, but you know, reading about his game and how talent he was and that he you ends up breaking the all-time wins record as a coach. What a career.”

Kerr, who played under Wilkens for over three years with the Cavaliers, carries a piece of Wilkens’ coaching philosophy into his own career. He’s often spoken about how Wilkens kept things simple, focusing on just a few key plays rather than overwhelming the team with countless strategies. By perfecting a handful of set plays, Wilkens made execution seamless, a lesson Kerr still applies as a coach today.

Kings head coach Doug Christie couldn’t hold back his emotions while reflecting on Lenny Wilkens,  a man who shaped not only the NBA but also Christie’s own childhood in Seattle. “Just want to send out a lot of love to Lenny Wilkens and his family. A kid from Seattle ’79 Championship, you know Lenny probably doesn’t even know that without him. I’m not here. So lot of blessings,” he said, his voice heavy with gratitude.

Christie often recalls how growing up in Seattle meant growing up with the Sonics, a team that inspired a city and left a lasting mark on its people. That love and respect for Lenny Wilkens hasn’t faded. Earlier this year, Seattle honored him with a statue outside the Climate Pledge Arena, making him the first person to receive such a tribute there. Though Wilkens played for four teams and coached six, it’s in Seattle, with the Sonics, that his legacy is most deeply felt. As head coach in 1979, he led the team to its only championship, forever etching his name into the city’s history.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver remembered Lenny Wilkens as the embodiment of excellence in basketball, both on and off the court. He highlighted Wilkens’ rare distinction of being named among the league’s 75 greatest players and 15 greatest coaches, along with his Olympic gold medals and NBA championship.

Beyond the accolades, Silver praised his dedication to service and mentorship, writing, “He influenced the lives of countless young people as well as generations of players and coaches who considered Lenny not only a great teammate or coach but also an extraordinary mentor who led with integrity and true class.” He also extended his love and support to Wilkens’ family.

The official NBA and WNBA Legends page, along with NBA Alumni, paid tribute to the iconic figure, writing, “The basketball community has lost a Legend. Our hearts are with the family, friends and fans of Lenny Wilkens. #LegendsForever.” Did you know Lenny Wilkens had his best scoring season in 1968-69 with the SuperSonics, putting up 22.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 6.2 rebounds per game? Maybe that’s what continues to inspire generations then and today.

David Locke, the voice of the Utah Jazz, also shared his respects for Lenny Wilkens, writing, “RIP Lenny Wilkens. Truly the Godfather of Seattle basketball. The year I did Sonics PBP he was the analyst on TV. After every game on our mini bus I would go sit next to him and pepper him with questions. He was always so gracious and willing to educate me. Hall of Fame X2.”