Magic Johnson pays tribute to Lenny Wilkens after he passes
The NBA lost one of its pillars on the Monday after that Lenny Wilkens died at the age of 88. Wilkens’ family released the sad news but did not disclose the cause of death.
Tributes to Wilkenswhose career as a player, and later as a coach, lasted 50 years. His patrons remembered him as an intelligent individual, whose philosophy of discipline and teamwork still resonates today.
NBA great Magic Johnson also honored Wilkens, who coached the Seattle Supersonics to their first and only championship in 1979.
“I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of three-time Hall of Fame coach Lenny Wilkens. Lenny was a champion on the field as well as a champion in the Seattle community through his many charitable efforts in the city,” Johnson wrote on X.
“He was a man with the biggest heart. Lenny helped the entire Dream Team achieve our goal of an Olympic gold medal as an assistant coach. Lenny is a man I am so lucky to call a friend. My prayers go out to his wife Marilyn, his children, the entire NBA and the Seattle community.”
Wilkens was inducted into the Hall of Fame three times: first as a player in 1989, then as a coach in 1998 and, as Johnson mentioned, a member of the 2010 Dream Team.
Wilkens first played for the St. Louis Hawks after being drafted with the sixth pick in 1960 out of Providence. In 1968, he was traded to Seattle, where he became a beloved member of the community. He also played for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Portland Trail Blazers. He was a nine-time All-Star and once led the league in assists.
In addition to the SuperSonics, his 35-year coaching career has brought him to the Trail Blazers, Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors and New York Knicks. He was named Coach of the Year in 1994 during his time in Atlanta.
2025-11-11 03:31:00
