Seattle Unveils Lenny Wilkens Statue at Climate Pledge Arena

Lenny Wilkens, a Seattle SuperSonics legend, was honored with a bronze statue unveiled outside Climate Pledge Arena, marking the first statue at the site. The 6-foot, 700-pound statue, sculpted by Lou Cella, depicts Wilkens as a player and celebrates his contributions as a 15-season NBA player, nine-time All-Star, and the coach who led the Sonics to their only NBA title in 1979. Wilkens is a three-time Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, recognized as a player, coach, and assistant coach for the 1992 USA Dream Team, and is ranked third in all-time NBA coaching wins. The ceremony highlighted Wilkens’ significant community impact through his foundation, notably supporting the Odessa Brown Children's Clinic in Seattle’s Central District. His legacy is seen as foundational to Seattle's passion for basketball, with Seattle Storm president Alisha Valavanis noting Wilkens and upcoming honoree Sue Bird’s roles in shaping the city's basketball culture. The statue stands at Climate Pledge Arena, which has not hosted NBA games since the Sonics relocated in 2008, with a statue of Storm star Sue Bird planned for unveiling later this summer.