On Saturday, the legendary basketball figure Lenny Wilkens was celebrated in Seattle with the unveiling of a bronze statue outside Climate Pledge Arena, marking the first such honor at this iconic location. Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 700 pounds, the statue, crafted by Lou Cella, pays tribute to Wilkens as both an athlete and a foundational figure in Seattle’s sports community. Cella, an artist based in Chicago, is also known for his sculptures of notable figures like Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar Martinez, Dave Niehaus, and Don James.
The Seattle Storm, who currently play at Climate Pledge Arena, marked the occasion.
“Lenny Wilkens was an All-Star as a player, a champion as a coach, and remains a cornerstone of our Seattle sports community. Today, we honor him with a bronze statue outside Climate Pledge Arena. Congratulations, Lenny!” said the team’s official account on X.
A three-time inductee into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame—once as a player (1989), again as a coach (1998), and as an assistant coach for the USA “Dream Team” (2010)—Wilkens, now 87, had a 15-season NBA career, including four seasons with the Seattle SuperSonics from 1968 to 1972. He averaged 16.7 points and 6.5 assists per game during his time in Seattle, accumulating 6,010 points and 2,777 assists, resulting in three All-Star selections.
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Wilkens returned to Seattle to serve as head coach, guiding the SuperSonics for 11 seasons and achieving a coaching record of 478 wins against 402 losses. He notably led the team to its sole NBA championship during the 1978–79 season, ranking third all-time in NBA coaching victories with 1,332, trailing only Gregg Popovich and Don Nelson.
The ceremony also included tributes from Seattle basketball legends such as Spencer Haywood, Jack Sikma, Detlef Schrempf, Nate McMillan, and coach George Karl.
“Coach Wilkens is to Seattle what Jerry West was to the Lakers, Bill Russell to the Celtics, and Michael Jordan to the Bulls,” remarked McMillan, who played for and later coached the Sonics.
The event highlighted Wilkens’ contributions beyond the court. Since establishing the Lenny Wilkens Foundation in 1971, he has championed various causes in Seattle, notably maintaining long-term partnerships with the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic. Former Washington Governors Bob Ferguson and Jay Inslee commended Wilkens for his efforts to uplift the community both publicly and privately.
“He has uplifted this community in many ways,” Ferguson expressed. “Let’s gratitude for all the hard work he’s done for our community.”
Wilkens will soon be joined by another Seattle sports legend, Sue Bird, as her statue is set to be unveiled outside the arena on August 17.
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Image Source: NBA TV Canada @ YouTube
