Latest news with #Wilkens
Fox Sports
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Lenny Wilkens has statue unveiled outside Seattle arena where he led SuperSonics to NBA title
Associated Press SEATTLE (AP) — Lenny Wilkens couldn't wipe the smile off his face as he gazed at a bronze statue of himself at the site of his greatest coaching triumph. On Saturday, the former Seattle SuperSonics player and coach became the first person to have a statue unveiled outside Climate Pledge Arena. Wilkens led the Sonics to the 1979 NBA title. But the 6-foot, 700-pound statue, sculpted by Chicago-based Lou Cella, depicts Wilkens as a player. Cella also produced statues of University of Washington football coach Don James and Seattle Mariners greats Ken Griffey Jr. and Edgar Martinez. 'I've been blessed,' the 87-year-old Wilkens said. 'I'll be the first to tell you.' A point guard, Wilkens played 15 NBA seasons, including four for Seattle, and was a nine-time All-Star. He averaged 16.7 points and 6.5 assists. Climate Pledge Arena, home to the WNBA's Seattle Storm and NHL's Seattle Kraken, has never hosted an NBA game in its current incarnation. Known as KeyArena when the Sonics played there, it reopened in 2021 after a $1.15 billion renovation. The Sonics moved to Oklahoma City in 2008 and became the Thunder; that franchise won the NBA title this month. Wilkens' statue won't stand alone for long. Longtime Storm point guard and four-time WNBA champion Sue Bird will have a statue unveiled outside the arena on Aug. 17. 'Lenny Wilkens' legacy in this city is undeniable — he helped lay the foundation for Seattle's deep love of the game. Both Lenny and Sue have brought home championships, inspired generations and helped shape Seattle into the incredible basketball city that it is today,' Storm president and CEO Alisha Valavanis said in a statement. 'The Storm are honored to be part of this monumental moment for Lenny, and we can't wait to celebrate Sue and all that she's meant to our city when we unveil her statue later this summer.' Wilkens, a three-time inductee into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, was joined by SuperSonics greats including Spencer Haywood, Jack Sikma, Detlef Schrempf, Nate McMillan and coach George Karl. McMillan said Wilkens' impact on the Sonics was similar to that of Jerry West on the Los Angeles Lakers and Michael Jordan on the Chicago Bulls. Wilkens is third in career wins by an NBA coach at 1,332, trailing only Gregg Popovich and Don Nelson. 'He's one of the greatest leaders the NBA has ever seen,' McMillan said. ___ AP NBA: recommended
San Francisco Chronicle
28-06-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Lenny Wilkens has statue unveiled outside Seattle arena where he led SuperSonics to NBA title
SEATTLE (AP) — Lenny Wilkens couldn't wipe the smile off his face as he gazed at a bronze statue of himself at the site of his greatest coaching triumph. On Saturday, the former Seattle SuperSonics player and coach became the first person to have a statue unveiled outside Climate Pledge Arena. Wilkens led the Sonics to the 1979 NBA title. But the 6-foot, 700-pound statue, sculpted by Chicago-based Lou Cella, depicts Wilkens as a player. Cella also produced statues of University of Washington football coach Don James and Seattle Mariners greats Ken Griffey Jr. and Edgar Martinez. 'I've been blessed,' the 87-year-old Wilkens said. 'I'll be the first to tell you.' A point guard, Wilkens played 15 NBA seasons, including four for Seattle, and was a nine-time All-Star. He averaged 16.7 points and 6.5 assists. Climate Pledge Arena, home to the WNBA's Seattle Storm and NHL's Seattle Kraken, has never hosted an NBA game in its current incarnation. Known as KeyArena when the Sonics played there, it reopened in 2021 after a $1.15 billion renovation. The Sonics moved to Oklahoma City in 2008 and became the Thunder; that franchise won the NBA title this month. Wilkens' statue won't stand alone for long. Longtime Storm point guard and four-time WNBA champion Sue Bird will have a statue unveiled outside the arena on Aug. 17. 'Lenny Wilkens' legacy in this city is undeniable — he helped lay the foundation for Seattle's deep love of the game. Both Lenny and Sue have brought home championships, inspired generations and helped shape Seattle into the incredible basketball city that it is today,' Storm president and CEO Alisha Valavanis said in a statement. 'The Storm are honored to be part of this monumental moment for Lenny, and we can't wait to celebrate Sue and all that she's meant to our city when we unveil her statue later this summer.' Wilkens, a three-time inductee into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, was joined by SuperSonics greats including Spencer Haywood, Jack Sikma, Detlef Schrempf, Nate McMillan and coach George Karl. McMillan said Wilkens' impact on the Sonics was similar to that of Jerry West on the Los Angeles Lakers and Michael Jordan on the Chicago Bulls. Wilkens is third in career wins by an NBA coach at 1,332, trailing only Gregg Popovich and Don Nelson.
Winnipeg Free Press
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Lenny Wilkens has statue unveiled outside Seattle arena where he led SuperSonics to NBA title
SEATTLE (AP) — Lenny Wilkens couldn't wipe the smile off his face as he gazed at a bronze statue of himself at the site of his greatest coaching triumph. On Saturday, the former Seattle SuperSonics player and coach became the first person to have a statue unveiled outside Climate Pledge Arena. Wilkens led the Sonics to the 1979 NBA title. But the 6-foot, 700-pound statue, sculpted by Chicago-based Lou Cella, depicts Wilkens as a player. Cella also produced statues of University of Washington football coach Don James and Seattle Mariners greats Ken Griffey Jr. and Edgar Martinez. 'I've been blessed,' the 87-year-old Wilkens said. 'I'll be the first to tell you.' A point guard, Wilkens played 15 NBA seasons, including four for Seattle, and was a nine-time All-Star. He averaged 16.7 points and 6.5 assists. Climate Pledge Arena, home to the WNBA's Seattle Storm and NHL's Seattle Kraken, has never hosted an NBA game in its current incarnation. Known as KeyArena when the Sonics played there, it reopened in 2021 after a $1.15 billion renovation. The Sonics moved to Oklahoma City in 2008 and became the Thunder; that franchise won the NBA title this month. Wilkens' statue won't stand alone for long. Longtime Storm point guard and four-time WNBA champion Sue Bird will have a statue unveiled outside the arena on Aug. 17. 'Lenny Wilkens' legacy in this city is undeniable — he helped lay the foundation for Seattle's deep love of the game. Both Lenny and Sue have brought home championships, inspired generations and helped shape Seattle into the incredible basketball city that it is today,' Storm president and CEO Alisha Valavanis said in a statement. 'The Storm are honored to be part of this monumental moment for Lenny, and we can't wait to celebrate Sue and all that she's meant to our city when we unveil her statue later this summer.' Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Wilkens, a three-time inductee into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, was joined by SuperSonics greats including Spencer Haywood, Jack Sikma, Detlef Schrempf, Nate McMillan and coach George Karl. McMillan said Wilkens' impact on the Sonics was similar to that of Jerry West on the Los Angeles Lakers and Michael Jordan on the Chicago Bulls. Wilkens is third in career wins by an NBA coach at 1,332, trailing only Gregg Popovich and Don Nelson. 'He's one of the greatest leaders the NBA has ever seen,' McMillan said. ___ AP NBA:
Hindustan Times
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Lenny Wilkens has statue unveiled outside Seattle arena where he led SuperSonics to NBA title
SEATTLE — Lenny Wilkens couldn't wipe the smile off his face as he gazed at a bronze statue of himself at the site of his greatest coaching triumph. HT Image On Saturday, the former Seattle SuperSonics player and coach became the first person to have a statue unveiled outside Climate Pledge Arena. Wilkens led the Sonics to the 1979 NBA title. But the 6-foot, 700-pound statue, sculpted by Chicago-based Lou Cella, depicts Wilkens as a player. Cella also produced statues of University of Washington football coach Don James and Seattle Mariners greats Ken Griffey Jr. and Edgar Martinez. 'I've been blessed,' the 87-year-old Wilkens said. 'I'll be the first to tell you.' A point guard, Wilkens played 15 NBA seasons, including four for Seattle, and was a nine-time All-Star. He averaged 16.7 points and 6.5 assists. Climate Pledge Arena, home to the WNBA's Seattle Storm and NHL's Seattle Kraken, has never hosted an NBA game in its current incarnation. Known as KeyArena when the Sonics played there, it reopened in 2021 after a $1.15 billion renovation. The Sonics moved to Oklahoma City in 2008 and became the Thunder; that franchise won the NBA title this month. Wilkens' statue won't stand alone for long. Longtime Storm point guard and four-time WNBA champion Sue Bird will have a statue unveiled outside the arena on Aug. 17. 'Lenny Wilkens' legacy in this city is undeniable — he helped lay the foundation for Seattle's deep love of the game. Both Lenny and Sue have brought home championships, inspired generations and helped shape Seattle into the incredible basketball city that it is today,' Storm president and CEO Alisha Valavanis said in a statement. 'The Storm are honored to be part of this monumental moment for Lenny, and we can't wait to celebrate Sue and all that she's meant to our city when we unveil her statue later this summer.' Wilkens, a three-time inductee into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, was joined by SuperSonics greats including Spencer Haywood, Jack Sikma, Detlef Schrempf, Nate McMillan and coach George Karl. McMillan said Wilkens' impact on the Sonics was similar to that of Jerry West on the Los Angeles Lakers and Michael Jordan on the Chicago Bulls. Wilkens is third in career wins by an NBA coach at 1,332, trailing only Gregg Popovich and Don Nelson. 'He's one of the greatest leaders the NBA has ever seen,' McMillan said. NBA: /hub/nba This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Issue 2 on May 2025 ballot: Ohio to vote on $2.5B bond initiative for public infrastructure projects
Apr. 8—On May 6, voters across Ohio will approve or deny Issue 2, a request from the state in the form of a constitutional amendment to issue up to $2.5 billion in bonds to help pay for infrastructure projects over the next decade. Approval on May 6 would amend the Ohio Constitution, as the state needs constitutional approval in order to go into large amounts of debt. The bonds, if approved by a simple majority of voters, would go toward the State Capital Improvement Program and could only be used on roads, bridges, water treatment and supply systems and solid waste disposal facilities, according to the legislature's nonpartisan analysis. The state first issued a lump sum of general obligation bonds to fund SCIP in 1987. The approach has been approved by voters thrice since. The pending approval would be the biggest in state history, which lawmakers said was necessary due to inflation driving up the cost of projects. According to Ohio Public Works Commission Director Linda Bailiff, this bond approach has proven to be a successful, responsive way for local governments to make headway on infrastructure projects. "About 18,860 projects have been funded since the program's inception," Bailiff told lawmakers late last year. "Depending on the year, for every $1 of program funds another $2 to $3 is leveraged in other local, state, and federal sources." In an interview with this news outlet, Butler County Engineer Gregory J. Wilkens described SCIP as "a critical funding source" that can either fully fund projects or at least enable local governments to vie for federal and state grants. "I'd hate to even think how many structures we've built over the years because of this funding. It's easy to use; I think it is the best funding source out there for construction and water or sewer-type projects," Wilkens said. Bailiff explained that, if Issue 2 is approved, the $2.5 billion would be doled out on a per-capita basis to 19 District Public Works Integrating Committees across the state. Those districts would then analyze project proposals and determine how best to use bond proceeds. District 10, which contains Butler, Clermont, Clinton and Warren counties, assesses project proposals once a year, Wilkens said. The legislation that put Issue 2 on the ballot, passed in December, saw overwhelming support from Ohio lawmakers and various industry players, including the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and the County Engineers Association of Ohio. A handful of lawmakers stood against the resolution on the grounds that Ohio ought not spend more money. "The General Assembly's thirst to spend taxpayer dollars is seemingly unquenchable," said then-Sen. Niraj Antani, R-Miami Twp., who is now running for state treasurer. "This bill would authorize more spending, which I believe is unsustainable for Ohio's future." Here's the Issue 2 language voters will see on their primary election ballots: This proposed amendment would: 1. Authorize the state to issue bonds or other obligations to finance or assist in financing public infrastructure capital improvements for local governments and other governmental entities. Capital improvement projects would be limited to roads and bridges, waste water treatment systems, water supply systems, solid waste disposal facilities, storm water and sanitary collection, storage, and treatment facilities. 2. Determine that such capital improvements are necessary to preserve and expand the public infrastructure, ensure public health, safety and welfare, create and preserve jobs, enhance employment opportunities, and improve the economic welfare of the people of Ohio. 3. Limit the total principal amount of the state general obligations issued under the amendment to no more than $2.5 billion over a ten-year period. Any principal amount that could have been issued in any prior fiscal year, but was not issued, may subsequently be issued. 4. Require that obligations issued under this amendment mature no later than thirty (30) years after their date of issuance, and that any obligation issued to retire or refund other obligations mature no later than the permitted maturity date for the obligations being retired or refunded. 5. Authorize the General Assembly to pass laws implementing this amendment, including laws establishing procedures for incurring and issuing obligations, and laws providing for the use of Ohio products, materials, services and labor to the extent possible. ------ For more stories like this, sign up for our Ohio Politics newsletter. It's free, curated, and delivered straight to your inbox every Thursday evening. Avery Kreemer can be reached at 614-981-1422, on X, via email, or you can drop him a comment/tip with the survey below.
