“We should never discourage young people from dreaming big.” This was Lenny Wilkens’ guiding philosophy, a belief he carried from the playgrounds of Brooklyn to the bright lights of the NBA. Known as the “Godfather of Seattle,” Wilkens passed away peacefully at the age of 88, leaving the basketball world and countless young players and coaches without his mentorship.

Although the family has not disclosed the cause of death, it is appropriate to take a moment to reflect on a life filled with achievements and inspiration. From record-breaking seasons as both a player and a coach to shaping generations with his wisdom, Wilkens’ legacy is a story that will be revisited time and again, reminding us to learn and dream bigger in his honor.

Who is Lenny Wilkens?

Leonard Randolph Wilkens was born on October 28, 1937, in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in the Bedford–Stuyvesant neighborhood. Raised in the Catholic faith by a Black American father and an Irish American mother, young Lenny’s passion for basketball took root on the playgrounds of Brooklyn, setting the stage for a legendary career that would leave a lasting impact on the NBA.

Wilkens excelled as a professional player, spending 15 seasons with the Hawks, SuperSonics, Cavaliers, and Trail Blazers. He earned nine All-Star selections and twice led the league in assists. Later in his career, he transitioned into coaching, first as a player-coach and eventually as a full-time coach, guiding the Seattle SuperSonics to an NBA championship in 1979.

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NBA Commissioner Adam Silver summed up his legacy perfectly: “Lenny Wilkens represented the very best of the NBA — as a Hall of Fame player, Hall of Fame coach, and one of the game’s most respected ambassadors.” 

Lenny Wilkens’ early life & college career

Lenny Wilkens’ early life was a mix of challenge and character-building. Born to Leonard Wilkens Sr. and Henrietta Wilkens, he lost his father at just five years old, leaving his mother to raise five children on her own. At his father’s wake, an aunt turned to young Lenny and told him, “Well, you’re going to be the man of the family now.”

Those words stayed with him, driving Lenny to mature quickly while juggling school, work, and a growing passion for sports. By the age of nine, Lenny was already taking odd jobs around Brooklyn, yet he still found time to play basketball, inspired by icons like Jackie Robinson.

Although he didn’t join his high school team until his senior year at Boys High School, Wilkens’ talent was undeniable. His parish priest championed his cause, writing to Providence College’s athletic director to request a scholarship despite his limited high school experience. Providence took a chance, and Lenny quickly became the Friars’ first true basketball star.

At Providence College, Wilkens thrived, earning All-America honors in both 1959 and 1960. He led the team to its first NIT appearance in 1959 and to the finals in 1960, concluding his college career with 1,193 points- second in school history at the time. Decades later, his No. 14 jersey was retired in 1996, making him the first alumnus to receive that honor, and he was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006 as one of its inaugural members.

Lenny Wilkens’ NBA career (1960-1975)

Drafted sixth overall by the St. Louis Hawks in 1960, he quickly made his mark as a gifted playmaking guard. Despite missing much of his second season due to military service, Wilkens returned to lead the Hawks to six straight playoff appearances.

By 1967-68, his final season with the Hawks, he had earned enough respect to finish second in MVP voting to the legendary Wilt Chamberlain.

Over 15 seasons with the Hawks, SuperSonics, Cavaliers, and Trail Blazers, Wilkens scored 17,772 points, averaged double figures in every season except his final year, and was named a nine-time All-Star, including All-Star Game MVP in 1971.

Wilkens’ scoring and court vision reached new heights when he joined the expansion Seattle SuperSonics in 1968. In his first season, he averaged 22.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 6.2 rebounds per game, quickly becoming the team’s cornerstone.

He was an All-Star three times during his stint in Seattle and led the league in assists in the 1969–70 season.

In 2021, the NBA honored Lenny Wilkens as the 75th greatest player in history as part of its 75th Anniversary celebration, recognizing his enduring impact on the game. Though known for his scoring ability, Wilkens’ true brilliance lay in his passing, placing him second on the all-time assists list behind Oscar Robertson at the time of his retirement. He continued his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Portland Trail Blazers, among other teams.

As his playing career evolved, Wilkens took on the challenge of becoming a player-coach, first with the Seattle SuperSonics and later with the Portland Trail Blazers. Initially hesitant, he later reflected, “I had nothing to lose; I’d try it and see if I liked it. Everyone always said I was like a coach on the floor anyway.” This unique dual role allowed him to lead teams while still playing, ultimately culminating in guiding the Sonics to their first winning season over .500 in franchise history.

By the end of his career, he had played 1,077 games, averaged 16.5 points per game, and solidified his reputation as both a masterful player and a future coaching legend.

Lenny Wilkens’ coaching career

After hanging up his sneakers following the 1974-75 season with the Portland Trail Blazers, Lenny Wilkens transitioned seamlessly into full-time coaching.

He returned to Seattle in 1977-78, stepping in for Bob Hopkins after a rough 5-17 start, and immediately led the SuperSonics to the NBA Finals, where they fell in seven games to the defending champion Washington Bullets.

Not one to settle, Wilkens returned the following season and guided Seattle to victory over the Bullets in the 1979 Finals, delivering the franchise’s first and only NBA championship.

Wilkens himself explained his unique connection with players, telling Newsday, “I know what young players are going through. I understand their backgrounds. I didn’t come from anything either, so I’ve been there.”

Wilkens’ coaching career spanned an incredible 32 seasons, including stints with the Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors, and New York Knicks, taking nearly every team he led to the playoffs.

He set the NBA record for all-time coaching wins in 1995, surpassing Red Auerbach. Although Don Nelson and Gregg Popovich later surpassed him, Wilkens retired holding the record for most games coached and the second-most wins at the time.

In 1994, he was named Coach of the Year after leading the Hawks to a 52-27 record as the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. Beyond the NBA, he significantly shaped the international game, serving as an assistant coach on the 1992 “Dream Team” and later guiding Team USA to Olympic gold in Atlanta in 1996, coaching stars such as Charles Barkley, Reggie Miller, Grant Hill, and Shaquille O’Neal.

Wilkens’ impact wasn’t limited to coaching. He briefly worked as a college basketball analyst at Northwest FSN Studio, sharing his insights with fans, and held executive roles in Seattle, serving as GM, vice chairman, and President of Basketball Operations for the SuperSonics.

Lenny Wilkens’ personal life

Lenny Wilkens was married to Marilyn Reed from 1962 until his passing in 2025, and together they had three children: Leesha, Randy, and Jamee. The couple also had seven grandchildren: six girls and one boy. Wilkens lived in Medina, Washington, and dedicated himself to giving back through the Lenny Wilkens Foundation for Children.