Noelle Quinn Reflects on Lenny Wilkens’ Lasting Legacy as Seattle Prepares for Historic Statue Unveiling at Climate Pledge Arena

Lenny Wilkens’ name and legacy will be forever immortalized in Seattle by unveiling a bronze statue outside Climate Pledge Arena on June 28, 2025, a city that cherishes its sports heroes. As a coaching legend, a community pillar, and the face of Seattle basketball for generations, Wilkens will remain immortal—both in memory and metal—at the location where his teams once ignited a city thirsty for greatness.

Seattle Storm head coach Noelle Quinn has paid a heartfelt tribute to this milestone, reflecting on the magnitude of Wilkens’ achievements and his influence on the Emerald City.

“Seattle loves winners,” Quinn told LandonBuford.com. “Having a statue in front of Climate Pledge Arena means you did amazing things—as a player and as a coach. It’s quite an honor to lead a sports team in this city.”

“Holler at Me, Wilkens”: Noelle Quinn’s Personal Connection to a Legend

Quinn’s admiration for Wilkens is not just symbolic — it’s deeply personal. Roberta F., Rodrigues, the founder of @beta_basket, stated this. Quinn called out to Wilkens recently at a Storm game, saying, “Holler at me, Wilkens,” to which the Hall of Famer replied, “Say no less.”

The relationship between two of Seattle’s most significant basketball figures is a bridge between generations. Wilkens, now 87, continues to show up for the Storm quietly, attending games and supporting the growth of women’s basketball in the city he helped put on the sports map.

“It’s really cool to see him when he is here to support the Storm,” Quinn continued. “Having a statue in front of Climate Pledge means you did some important things… It’s quite an honor to lead a sports team in this city.”

From Brooklyn to the Pacific Northwest: The Story of a True Icon

Wilkens’ life began in Brooklyn, where he first met greatness in the form of Jackie Robinson, who set a record for breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball. As a young man, Wilkens delivered groceries to Robinson, and it had a lasting impact.

“He said to me, ‘They can’t get here. Nobody can get here,’” Wilkens recalled, pointing to his head. “And I was so impressed. What a helluva player he was.”

Wilkens’ historic 57-year basketball journey, which included 14 years with the Seattle SuperSonics that span four decades, was made possible by an initial lesson in mental fortitude.

• Three-time NBA All-Star as Seattle’s first basketball superstar.

• Player/coach, one of the rarest and most difficult positions in pro sports.

• General Manager, orchestrating moves that defined the Sonics’ identity.

• Head Coach, who brought Seattle its first and only NBA Championship in 1979.

• Part owner and executive, shaping the franchise’s legacy from every angle.

His career achievements are unmatched:

• The only person ever inducted three times into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame—as a player, coach, and as part of the 1992 Olympic Dream Team.

• Former NBA all-time leader in coaching wins (1,332), now third on the list.

• The second Black head coach in NBA history, blazing a trail for countless others.

A Statue That Symbolizes More Than Sport

The statue set to be unveiled outside Climate Pledge Arena is more than just a sports monument. It is a representation of the meaning of enduring, excelling, and elevating a community. Seattle’s athletic excellence is celebrated by fans from every generation at the tribute, which is strategically placed just steps from Lenny Wilkens Way. Wilkens was in awe of the honor.

“I’m just overwhelmed,” he said. “It’s not something I ever thought much about or anything like that. This has been a great community. I got to know people here.”

“When I first got here, I thought about going back East, but we liked it out here, my wife and I… and decided it would be a wonderful place to make a home.”

That home has, in turn, given back to Wilkens in a way few cities do for their legends.

Philanthropy, Family, and Legacy: The Full Measure of a Man

Wilkens’ heart is always in service, beyond basketball. The Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic, which provides critical health care to underserved families in Seattle’s Central District, has been provided with critical health care by his Lenny Wilkens Foundation, which has raised more than $10 million.

His achievements in life include:

• 63 years of marriage to his wife Marilyn, with whom he shares three children and seven grandchildren.

• Decades of mentorship, activism, and service across both sports and community platforms.

• An enduring presence in civic and charity events throughout the Pacific Northwest.’

Noelle Quinn: A Legacy Builder Inspired by a Legend

Noelle Quinn, the sole Black woman currently leading a WNBA franchise, is a symbol of the progress that Wilkens once labored to make possible. Her rise from player to championship coach mirrors Wilkens’ own journey, and she acknowledges the path he carved for her and many others.

“Lenny Wilkens is the blueprint for what it means to lead with integrity, humility, and impact. He made space for the rest of us.”

The values Wilkens exemplify in Quinn’s leadership of the Storm are mentorship, tactical brilliance, and a strong commitment to community. She sees the statue as a reminder of what’s possible, and a challenge to all leaders who follow.

June 28, 2025: A City Pauses to Honor Its Greatest Coach

Lenny Wilkens will be honored with the same level of reverence as heads of state on a powerful summer afternoon in Seattle. The bronze likeness will be displayed outside the arena where he once reigned, and fans, players, and fellow legends will think about a man who not only won games but also changed lives.

“Seattle loves winners,” Quinn said once more. “And Lenny Wilkens didn’t just win on the court—he won the city’s heart.”