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Lenny Wilkens -- a Hall of Fame basketball player and coach -- has died ... the NBA confirmed in a statement Sunday.

Wilkens reportedly passed away while surrounded by loved ones ... though the family has not revealed a cause of death at this time.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver called Wilkens "one of the game's respected ambassadors" ... adding his on-court contributions were incredible -- yet paled in comparison to his influence on the community of Seattle.

Wilkens began his professional career for the St. Louis Hawks in 1960 ... average 15.5 points per game with the squad over the course of eight seasons. Getty

The Hawks then traded Lenny to the Seattle Supersonics where he had four of the best years of his career ... making three All-Star tea

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