Seattle (AP) — Lenny Wilkens, inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame three times for his remarkable career as both a player and coach, has passed away at the age of 88. His family confirmed that he was with loved ones at the time of his departure, although they did not disclose details regarding the cause of death.

Wilkens was celebrated as one of the finest point guards of his time and later transitioned into coaching, where he gained a reputation for his calm demeanor and strategic insight.

With a coaching record of 2,487 games in the NBA, he holds the highest number of games coached. Wilkens achieved Hall of Fame status not only as a player but also as a coach and as an assistant to the 1992 U.S. Olympic team, which clinched gold in Atlanta and again in 1996.

“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,” stated NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “He achieved the unique honor of being recognized among the league’s 75 greatest players and 15 greatest coaches.”

Over his illustrious career, Wilkens was named an All-Star nine times and was the first NBA coach to reach the milestone of 1,000 wins. He guided the Seattle SuperSonics to an NBA championship in 1979, establishing himself as a pivotal figure in Seattle’s basketball heritage, often referred to as the godfather of its basketball scene, particularly after the SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008.

With dignity and poise, Wilkens approached leadership in sports: “Leaders don’t yell and scream,” he remarked to Seattle’s KOMO News earlier this year.

Wilkens, who retired with 1,332 coaching wins — a record later surpassed by Don Nelson and Gregg Popovich — played for 15 seasons with the St. Louis Hawks, SuperSonics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Portland Trail Blazers. He was a five-time All-Star with St. Louis, three-time with Seattle, and once at age 35 with Cleveland in 1973. A statue commemorating his contributions was unveiled outside Climate Pledge Arena in June.

In addition to his two Olympic gold medals and NBA championship, Wilkens was recognized for his deep commitment to community service in Seattle, where he profoundly impacted the lives of many young athletes and coaches as a mentor.

Leonard Wilkens was born on October 28, 1937, in New York City and honed his basketball skills on Brooklyn’s playgrounds and at Boys High School, where he played alongside MLB star Tommy Davis. He later excelled at Providence and was drafted by the Hawks as the sixth overall pick in 1960.