Lenny Wilkens is a former professional basketball player and coach, known for his outstanding achievements in the sport of basketball. With a career spanning over four decades, Wilkens has left an indelible mark on the NBA and the sport of basketball as a whole.
Lenny Wilkens was one of the most successful figures in the NBA, both as a player and coach. His career statistics speak for themselves, showcasing his talent and dedication to the game.
Lenny Wilkens, a former NBA player, and coach, has amassed a substantial net worth throughout his career. His net worth is estimated at $36 million. Much of his wealth comes from his time as a player and coach in the NBA, but he has also made smart investments in real estate and other ventures.
Wilkens' career earnings as a player and coach are estimated to be around $19.5 million. He signed his first contract with the St. Louis Hawks in 1960, which was worth $7,500. He went on to play for several other teams throughout his career, including the Seattle SuperSonics, where he won his only NBA championship in 1979. As a coach, he earned significant salaries, with his highest earning contract being with the Toronto Raptors in 2000, worth $30 million over five years.
In addition to his career earnings, Wilkens has made smart investments in real estate, including a luxury condominium in Seattle worth $3.9 million. He also owns several other properties in the Seattle area, including a waterfront home in Mercer Island and a rental property in Kirkland.
Lenny Wilkens during his time in Cleveland Cavaliers, June 1962 SOURCE: Pinterest Wilkens is also known for his love of luxury vehicles, with a car collection that includes a Rolls-Royce Phantom, a Bentley Continental GT, and a Mercedes-Benz S-Class. These vehicles have an estimated combined value of over $500,000.
Aside from real estate and luxury vehicles, Wilkens has made other investments and assets. He co-owned a Seattle restaurant called Salty's Seafood Grill, which he later sold. He has also invested in other ventures, including a winery and a sports memorabilia company.
Despite his substantial net worth, Wilkens is known for his philanthropic work through the Lenny Wilkens Foundation. The foundation, which he founded in 1990, provides education, healthcare, and other support to children in need. Over the years, the foundation has raised millions of dollars and has made a positive impact on the lives of countless children.
Lenny Wilkens is happily married to Marilyn J. Reed. The couple got married on June 21, 1980, and has been together ever since. Marilyn is known for her work as a community volunteer, and the couple has been actively involved in charitable work. They have a strong relationship built on mutual respect and love.
Before marrying Marilyn, Lenny was previously married and has two children, Randy and Kimberly, from that relationship. However, details about his first marriage and divorce are not publicly known. After the divorce, he met Marilyn, and the two hit it off immediately. They dated for a while before finally tying the knot.
Lenny Wilkens with his wife, Marilyn J. Reed, October 2018 SOURCE: Pinterest Marilyn has been a constant support system for Lenny throughout his career. She has accompanied him to numerous events, games, and award ceremonies, standing by his side as he received several accolades for his achievements. She is known for her vibrant personality and dedication to philanthropy.
Despite being in the public eye for decades, Lenny and Marilyn have managed to keep their relationship out of the spotlight. They lead a private life and value their time together away from the media. The couple resides in their home in Medina, Washington, where they enjoy spending time together with their family and friends.
As an NBA player, Wilkens had a 15-year career, playing for teams such as the St. Louis Hawks, Seattle SuperSonics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Portland Trail Blazers. He played in a total of 1,077 games and scored 17,772 points, with an average of 16.5 points per game. He also had a total of 7,211 assists, with an average of 6.7 assists per game.
Wilkens was a 9-time NBA All-Star during his career, from 1963 to 1971. He was also named to the All-NBA Second Team three times (1961, 1962, and 1968) and the All-NBA First Team once (1969).
After retiring as a player, Wilkens went on to become a highly successful NBA coach. He coached for a total of 32 years, starting with the Seattle SuperSonics in 1969 and ending with the New York Knicks in 2005. He coached a total of 2,487 games and had 1,332 wins, making him the second-winningest coach in NBA history at the time of his retirement.
Lenny Wilkens drives the ball past an opponent during a basketball match, November 1968 SOURCE: twitter.com/ATLHawks Wilkens' coaching career was filled with many accomplishments, including leading the SuperSonics to the NBA championship in 1979. He also won the NBA Coach of the Year award twice, in 1994 with the Atlanta Hawks and in 1999 with the SuperSonics.
One of the most impressive aspects of Wilkens' coaching career was his ability to turn struggling teams into contenders. He took the SuperSonics from a 23-59 record in his first season to an NBA championship just 10 years later. He also took the Cleveland Cavaliers from a 29-53 record in his first season to a 42-40 record and a playoff appearance in his second season.
In recognition of his contributions to the game of basketball, Wilkens was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice, once as a player in 1989 and again as a coach in 1998. Lenny Wilkins was honored by the Seattle Center as they declared October 3 as “Lenny Wilkens Day at Seattle Center”.
Lenny Wilkens, born Leonard Randolph Wilkens, was born on October 28, 1937, in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up in a neighborhood with a strong basketball culture and began playing the sport at an early age. Wilkens attended Boys High School in Brooklyn, where he played basketball for four years and earned All-City honors in his senior year.
After high school, Wilkens attended Providence College in Rhode Island, where he played basketball for the Friars and helped the team reach the NIT championship game in 1959. Wilkens was a star player during his college years and earned All-American honors in his senior year.
Lenny Wilkens holds a basketball for a photo shoot, October 2022 SOURCE: instagram.com/backontheave Wilkens' family was supportive of his basketball career from a young age. His father, Leon, was a sanitation worker and his mother, Dorothy, was a homemaker. Wilkens was the youngest of five children and grew up in a close-knit family. He has credited his parents with instilling in him the values of hard work and perseverance that helped him succeed both on and off the basketball court.
Despite his success as a basketball player, Wilkens never forgot the importance of education. He graduated from Providence College with a degree in economics and went on to earn a master's degree in physical education from Seattle University while playing for the Seattle SuperSonics.
