Portland Trail Blazers Mourn the Passing of NBA Legend Lenny Wilkens
The Portland Trail Blazers have paid tribute to NBA Hall of Famer and former player-coach Lenny Wilkens, who has passed away.
In a statement, the team expressed deep sadness over the loss of one of basketball’s greatest figures.
“All of Rip City is deeply saddened to hear of Lenny Wilkens’ passing. Lenny was an incredible person on and off the court, and his impact on the game of basketball will be felt for generations. A Pacific Northwest legend, his two seasons in Portland, as player-coach and then head coach during the early years of Blazer basketball, helped grow the game in Rip City while his work off the court inspired many. We join the basketball community in mourning the loss of a legend of the game,” the statement read.
Wilkens enjoyed a remarkable career both as a player and coach. He was a two-time Olympic gold medallist, a nine-time NBA All-Star, the 1994 NBA Coach of the Year, and a member of the NBA’s 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams. He also led the Seattle SuperSonics to an NBA Championship in 1979.
The Brooklyn-born star joined the Trail Blazers in 1974 as a player-coach, averaging 6.5 points, 3.6 assists, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game across 65 appearances. As head coach, he guided the team to a 75-89 record over two seasons.
Beyond his achievements in basketball, Wilkens was widely respected for his leadership, kindness, and dedication to community service. He was also known as a loving father, grandfather, and husband whose influence reached far beyond the court.
