Wilkens

Wilkens will begin his new role at FSN on February 10th, when he will provide studio analysis for FSN Live at 10 p.m. following the Sonics game versus the Sacramento Kings. Viewers will see Wilkens frequently during the 10 p.m. FSN Live as well as throughout the NBA season on FSN Live before and after Sonics telecasts.

“Lenny Wilkens has more basketball experience, knowledge and credibility than just about anyone in the business,” commented Mark Shuken, Vice President and General Manager of FSN Northwest. “His unique ability to communicate basketball insights coupled with the familiarity and affection fans in Seattle regard him with will make him an instant asset to FSN Live. It is an honor to have Coach Wilkens join our talent team.”

Wilkens has previously worked for FSN as a color analyst for Pac-10 men’s basketball. He was filling that role in 2004 when he was hired by the New York Knicks as their interim Head Coach. Upon leaving the Knicks earlier this season, Wilkens returned to his home in the Seattle area.

Wilkens first came to Seattle in 1968 when he was traded from the St. Louis Hawks, where he had spent his first eight seasons and made five All-Star appearances. The expansion Sonics were entering their second season in 1968-69, and Wilkens helped them to a 30-52 record by averaging 22.4 ppg and 8.2 apg. Prior to the 1969-70 season, Wilkens was asked to become player-coach. After two seasons as player-coach, Wilkens was forced by management to choose between the two roles. When he chose to remain on the roster as a player, he was subsequently dealt to the Cleveland Cavaliers. In 1977 Wilkens returned to Seattle as director of player personnel, but shortly thereafter was back at the helm and coaching the Sonics to a playoff berth. In his first full season as the Head Coach of the Seattle SuperSonics, Wilkens led the franchise to the 1979 NBA Championship.

In 32 seasons as an NBA head coach, Wilkens is the all-time winningest coach in NBA history with a career coaching record of 1,315-1,133 (.537). The Brooklyn native’s career has been filled with honors. Wilkens has been enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player (1988) and coach (1998), sharing that unique double honor with John Wooden and Bill Sharman. During the NBA’s 50th Anniversary celebration in 1996, Wilkens was not only named one of the 10 Greatest Coaches in NBA History, but one of the League’s 50 Greatest Players as well. He earned a pair of Olympic gold medals as an assistant coach with the original 1992 “Dream Team” in Barcelona and as head coach of the American squad at the 1996 Games in Atlanta.

One of the greatest point guards in NBA history, Wilkens averaged 16.5 points and 6.7 assists over a 15-year playing career with the St. Louis Hawks (1960-68), Sonics (1968-72), Cavaliers (1972-74) and Blazers (1974-75). A nine-time NBA All-Star and MVP of the 1971 Game at San Diego, he is ninth on the all-time NBA list with 7,211 career assists. His #19 jersey was retired by the Sonics in 1979.

FSN Northwest is the cable home of the Seattle Mariners, Seattle SuperSonics, Portland Trail Blazers, Seattle Storm, Washington Huskies, Washington State Cougars, Oregon State Beavers and Gonzaga Bulldogs. The region reaches more than 3.4 million cable homes in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska. FSN reaches more than 82 million homes through its 20 regional sports channels, and serves as the only supplier of national, regional and local sports programming. For the latest up-to-the-minute sports news and opinions, visit www.FoxSports.com.