Family and friends gathered in Kirkland last weekend to pay tribute to a local man’s contributions to the community and his accomplishments.

Lenny Wilkens, a former NBA coach and basketball player, was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for the third time this year. The third induction is for his work with the U.S. Men’s Olympic team.

Wilkens, who coached the Seattle Sonics from 1969 to 1972 and again from 1977 until 1985, helped the Sonics win their one and only national championship in 1979.

Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Wilkens has been a long time Kirkland and Seattle resident.

During a dinner at Lucia in Kirkland in his honor last Sunday, Wilkens said he felt very blessed.

“What’s not to like?” he said of being inducted for the third time. “It’s great. People come out and support you.”

Wilkens retired with 1,332 wins and 1,155 losses in his career. He also coached at Cleveland, Atlanta, Toronto and New York before retiring. He was the coach of the 1996 men’s Olympic team and an assistant for the 1992 Olympic team.

Now Wilkens lends his name to a foundation, the Lenny Wilkens Foundation, which aims to help fund health care and educational opportunities for kids.

Michael Halter, the owner of Lucia, said approximately 130 people attended the event.