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Basketball lost one of its true legends as Lenny Wilkens, a towering figure who made history as both a Hall of Fame player and coach, passed away Sunday at the age of 88.

His family confirmed he died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.

Wilkens’ basketball journey was one of rare brilliance and grace. A nine-time NBA All-Star and the first coach in league history to reach 1,000 wins, he remains one of the sport’s most respected figures. Over an unmatched 2,487 games coached — still an NBA record — Wilkens left an enduring mark on every team he touched.

In 1979, he led the Seattle SuperSonics to their only NBA Championship, becoming a civic icon in the city that still reveres him as the godfather of Seattle basketball.

Seattle didn’t just lose a basketball icon

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