Former Cleveland Cavalier head coach and Hall of Fame basketball icon Lenny Wilkens has died at the age of 88.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Wilkens went on to play collegiate basketball at Providence College, where he was a two-time All-America in 1959 and 1960.
He was drafted by the St. Louis Hawks in the 1960 NBA Draft and went on to play for the Seattle SuperSonics, the Portland Trail Blazers, and, for two seasons, for the Cavs.
As a player, Wilkens was a nine-time NBA All-Star and, at the time of his retirement in 1975, was second on the NBA's list of all-time assists. With the Cavs, he was an All-Star and became the first Cavalier to be the head coach in an All-Star game in 1989.
Wilkens began his coaching career as a player-coach with the SuperSonics from 1969 to 1972 and was also a player-coach for the Trail Blazers for a season.
Over his coaching career, Wilkens led the SuperSonics, Trail Blazers, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors, New York Knicks and from 1986-1993 was the head coach for the Cavs.
Wilkens led the Cavs to the playoffs in five of his seven seasons as their head coach. He holds the franchise record for most wins as a coach.
In 1998, Wilkens was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In 2022, the Cavs inducted Wilkens into their Wall of Honor, a feature inside Rocket Arena honoring the franchise's legends.
The Cleveland Cavaliers released a statement noting Wilkens' impact on the franchise and basketball as a whole:
The Cleveland Cavaliers are deeply saddened by the passing of Lenny Wilkens, a celebrated and legendary figure whose impact on our franchise and the game of basketball will never be forgotten.
Wilkens' connection to the Cavaliers was felt on both sides of the court. As a player, he served as the team’s point guard from 1972 to 1974, earning NBA All-Star honors in 1973. He later returned as head coach from 1986 to 1993, guiding the Cavaliers to the playoffs in five of his seven seasons and setting the franchise record for most regular-season coaching wins with 316—a mark that still stands today.
On March 26, 2022, he was inducted into the Cavaliers Wall of Honor.
Beyond his tenure in Cleveland, his legacy extends across the basketball world. Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as both a coach and player, Wilkens was also recognized as one of the NBA’s 75 greatest players and one of the league’s 15 greatest coaches of all time—an honor that reflects his influence on the game.
Wilkens embodied leadership, class, and a passion for the game. A true Cleveland sports icon, he inspired legions of players, coaches and fans across Northeast Ohio and he will forever be part of Cleveland Cavaliers history.
Our hearts and sincere condolences are with his wife, Marilyn; their children, Leesha, Randy and Jamee, and all those whose lives he touched.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement Sunday regarding Wilkens' death:
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. 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.
But even more impressive than Lenny’s basketball accomplishments, which included two Olympic gold medals and an NBA championship, was his commitment to service – especially in his beloved community of Seattle where a statue stands in his honor. 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.
I send my heartfelt condolences to Lenny’s wife, Marilyn; their children, Leesha, Randy and Jamee; and all those throughout the NBA community who were fortunate to be touched by Lenny’s leadership and generosity.
