- June 29, 2025
NBA: Seattle Supersonics Legend Lenny Wilkens’ Statue Unveiled Outside Seattle Arena
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Lenny Wilkens, former Seattle SuperSonics player and coach, had a statue unveiled outside Climate Pledge Arena. He led the Sonics to their only NBA title in 1979.
NBA Hall of Famer Lenny Wilkens with his newly unveiled statue (AP)
Former Seattle SuperSonics player and coach Lenny Wilkens became the first person to have a statue unveiled outside Climate Pledge Arena.
Wilken led the Seattle SuperSonics to their only NBA championship in 1979 and also had notable coaching stints with the Portland Trail Blazers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks, and Toronto Raptors.
But the 6-foot, 700-pound statue, sculpted by Chicago-based Lou Cella, depicts Wilkens as a player.
“I’ve been blessed,” the 87-year-old Wilkens said. “I’ll be the first to tell you.”
A point guard, Wilkens played 15 NBA seasons, including four for Seattle, and was a nine-time All-Star. He averaged 16.7 points and 6.5 assists.
Climate Pledge Arena, home to the WNBA’s Seattle Storm and NHL’s Seattle Kraken, has never hosted an NBA game in its current incarnation.
Known as KeyArena when the Sonics played there, it reopened in 2021 after a $1.15 billion renovation. The Sonics moved to Oklahoma City in 2008 and became the Thunder; that franchise won the NBA title this month.
Wilkens’ statue won’t stand alone for long. Longtime Storm point guard and four-time WNBA champion Sue Bird will have a statue unveiled outside the arena on Aug. 17.
“Lenny Wilkens’ legacy in this city is undeniable — he helped lay the foundation for Seattle’s deep love of the game, “Storm president and CEO Alisha Valavanis said in a statement.
“Both Lenny and Sue have brought home championships, inspired generations, and helped shape Seattle into the incredible basketball city that it is today.”
Wilkens, a three-time inductee into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, was joined by SuperSonics greats including Spencer Haywood, Jack Sikma, Detlef Schrempf, Nate McMillan, and coach George Karl.
Wilkens is third in career wins by an NBA coach at 1,332, trailing only Gregg Popovich and Don Nelson.
Beyond his NBA accomplishments, Wilkens also served as head coach of the U.S. men’s basketball team that won gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
(with AP inputs)
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term…Read More
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term… Read More
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