SEATTLE — The passing of a sports legend is evoking heartfelt memories of the contributions Lenny Wilkens made both in his basketball career and throughout the community he loved.
The talented point guard who became one of basketball’s most respected coaches died Sunday. He was 88.
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“Obviously, it’s a very difficult time for the family but on the other hand, what an extraordinary life,” said Brad Meyer, a co-founder of the Rise Above program that helps youth through sports. “He served thousands of people.”
Wilkens played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 15 seasons beginning in 1960, including four with the Seattle SuperSonics. He was a nine-time NBA All-Star as a point guard and later became a coach. He helped the Sonics secure a championship in 1979, the franchise’s only title.
On the international stage, Wilkens contributed to two U.S. Olympic gold medals, serving as an assistant coach in 1992 on the Dream Team and again as a head coach in 1996.
Beyond the legendary athletic achievements, Wilkens was also deeply committed to the community. He championed children’s health through the Lenny Wilkens Foundation and has supported organizations like Make a Wish and the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic.
“He had a heart and passion for families or children or young people who couldn’t afford health care and needed health care, and that was at the heart of who he was,” Meyers said.
Wilkens was involved with Rise Above, Meyer’s nonprofit, for about a decade. The free program is geared toward Native youth by is open to all young people.
“Our real focus is early intervention, prevention, and mental health, but we use sports as a modality to get kids in the room,” Meyers said, “and we know that if we have Lenny Wilkens at our table, we’re going to get 100, 150 kids every time.”
Earlier this year, Wilkens was honored with the first statue outside Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. City officials also renamed a street on the facility’s southern edge as Lenny Wilkens Way.
Many describe Wilkens as a community hero committed to racial equity and youth empowerment.
“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,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “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.”
Wilkens had been struggling with a health issue for the past couple of months and died surrounded by loved ones. Family members have yet to decide if there will be any kind of public memorial service.
“I don’t think I’ve ever met a human being that has given more and taken less than Lenny Wilkens,” Meyers said.