SEATTLE (AP) - — Lenny Wilkens, a legendary figure in basketball and a three-time inductee into the Basketball Hall of Fame, has died at the age of 88, his family announced on Sunday.
Wilkens, who was surrounded by loved ones at the time of his passing, was celebrated both as a player and a coach in the NBA.
Wilkens began his NBA career playing for the St. Louis Hawks and later transitioned into coaching. He coached Atlanta Hawks from 1993 to 2000, becoming the 1994 NBA coach of the year.
In a statement, the Atlanta Hawks paid tribute to “a winner and a leader.”
“We would like to extend our condolences to the family and friends of the great Lenny Wilkens. Beyond his excellence as a player and a coach, he was an innovator, a trailblazer, a winner and a leader not just in Atlanta but every community in which he played and coached. In addition to his numerous achievements, Lenny always carried himself with a calm dignity and undeniable class and grace. He leaves a tremendous legacy throughout the NBA, within our franchise and in our city,” the Hawks said.
Wilkens retired with 1,332 coaching wins — a league record that was later passed by Don Nelson and Gregg Popovich, the Associated Press reported.
Known for his calm demeanor and strategic acumen, Wilkens was one of the finest point guards of his era before becoming a renowned coach. He set a record by coaching 2,487 games in the NBA.
“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,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Sunday. “So much so that, four years ago, Lenny received the unique distinction of being named one of the league’s 75 greatest players and 15 greatest coaches of all time.”
In addition to his individual accolades, Wilkens was also inducted into the Hall of Fame as part of the 1996 U.S. Olympic team, which he coached to a gold medal at the Atlanta Games.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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