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 .