Lenny Wilkens beamed with happiness as he stood in front of a newly unveiled bronze statue that immortalizes his legacy at the very site of his most significant coaching achievement. On Saturday, the former player and coach of the Seattle SuperSonics made history by becoming the first individual to have a statue erected outside Climate Pledge Arena.
A distinguished figure in basketball, Wilkens is a three-time inductee into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. He was surrounded by fellow SuperSonics legends at the unveiling event, including Spencer Haywood, Jack Sikma, Detlef Schrempf, Nate McMillan, and coach George Karl. McMillan noted that Wilkens’ influence on the SuperSonics parallels the impact Jerry West had on the Los Angeles Lakers and Michael Jordan on the Chicago Bulls. With an impressive total of 1,332 career wins, Wilkens ranks third among NBA coaches, only surpassed by the legendary Gregg Popovich and Don Nelson.
Wilkens is perhaps best known for leading the Sonics to their 1979 NBA Championship title, a crowning achievement in his illustrious career. The statue, standing at 6 feet tall and weighing 700 pounds, was masterfully sculpted by Chicago-based artist Lou Cella, who has also created statues of notable figures such as University of Washington football coach Don James and Seattle Mariners icons Ken Griffey Jr. and Edgar Martinez. As a point guard, Wilkens played 15 seasons in the NBA, four of which were with the SuperSonics. He was a nine-time All-Star and averaged 16.7 points and 6.5 assists per game during his career.
Climate Pledge Arena, formerly known as KeyArena when the SuperSonics played there, underwent an extensive $1.15 billion renovation and reopened its doors in 2021. The SuperSonics, however, relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008, rebranding as the Thunder; notably, this franchise recently clinched the NBA title this month.
The unveiling of Wilkens’ statue not only celebrates his remarkable contributions to the game of basketball but also serves as a poignant reminder of the rich history of the SuperSonics and the enduring legacy of one of the sport’s greats. As fans and former teammates gathered to honor Wilkens, his impact on the community and the sport was palpable, solidifying his place as a beloved figure in Seattle’s sports landscape.
