Sonics star Jack Sikma was thrilled to come to Spokane to help Rise Above and also pay tribute to Lenny Wilkens

Former Seattle SuperSonics star Jack Sikma is always on the lookout for a good cause.

Sikma learned that former teammate and Basketball Hall of Famer Lenny Wilkens was to be honored for his community service at a Sunday dinner from Rise Above, a nonprofit that works with the Kalispel Tribe to empower young Native Americans. Flanked by former Seattle players Dale Ellis and Spencer Haywood at the fundraiser, Sikma gladly accepted an invitation.

“It’s all the positive things he’s done for the community,” Sikma said of Wilkens. “In Seattle, he raised millions and billions of dollars for the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic to make this possible and to support young people. It’s just a common theme with Lenny. “

The event, held at Kalispel Golf and Country Club, “was something I wanted to be a part of and support,” Sikma said, noting that he shares a connection with Rise Above founder Jaci McCormack, who is State of Illinois played as a female basketball player. Hailing from Wichert, Illinois, Sikma was an NCAA Division III legend in Illinois Wesleyan “a mile down the street,” said Sikma.

Sikma previously met McCormack at a charity golf tournament hosted by Wilkens. They played in the same foursome, he said, and McCormack shared with Sikma her vision of what Rise Above wants to achieve.

Rise Above “is truly a mentoring and support program for young people,” Sikma said Tuesday from his Seattle home. “I’m always available for organizations that try to get young people off to a good start. The more opportunities we offer to support young people and to help them make good decisions and pursue positive life paths, it pays off. “

Sikma, 65, admitted that he once supported speed skater Bonnie Blair’s Olympic career in the 1980s. Her brother Rob was a brother of Sikma in Illinois Wesleyan. Sikma had just started his pro career in Seattle when Blair’s Olympic career was developing, “and I just had the opportunity to support her and of course pursue her career.”

Sikma said he and his wife, Shawn Strickland, now have “a little more time to work for positive causes. I’m always looking for things to help with. And it keeps me out of my family’s hair. “

Sikma was selected in the 1977 draft as eighth overall and played the next nine seasons for the Sonics. He averaged 16.8 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 715 games in Seattle before requesting a trade in 1986 that led to a move to Milwaukee, where he played an additional five seasons until the age of 35.

“I was frustrated,” said Sikma. “I had the feeling that a change of scenery would be good for me. I stepped forward and made a decision. I had been in Milwaukee for five years and we had good teams. I still have great relationships from that time. My wife and I raised families and had young children. … You can look back on decisions, but you can no longer change them. There are a few things that might be worth thinking about a little. We had a connection with Seattle and we decided to live there. But all in all, this decision was made and I made it. “

There has never been a longstanding hostility to the Sonics. Sikmas # 43 was eventually retired from the franchise, and he served as an assistant coach in Seattle for several years.

Sikma said he’s campaigning for the Bucks while Milwaukee competes with Phoenix in the NBA finals.

“I’m sure glad they won Game 3,” said Sikma, who won an NBA title with Seattle in 1979. “But that happens when you reach the final. They want to hold court at home and steal one on the way. They didn’t do that in the first couple of games, but I defend the city’s fans. “

Sikma still laments the Sonics’ franchise move to Oklahoma City, and he credits the city of Milwaukee for not suffering a similar fate when the Bucks threatened to relocate. Sikma remains confident that Seattle can win another NBA franchise, but “I’m waiting for the day that (NBA Commissioner Adam Silver) brings it up and says something is under consideration internally in the league,” he said .

With a reliable shot attack up to the three-point line and from the foul line, the 6-foot-11 Sikma grew to be one of the most skilled great men in the NBA. The league has moved on, emphasizing spacing and the three-point shot more than ever, and Sikma believes his skills would have carried over well to the modern game.

“I do, but I’ll also tell you that athletes are much better physically – bigger, faster, stronger – and that happens again in all sports,” he said. “It’s about building better machines. … Science is better, nutrition is better, relaxation is better and preparation through to preparation for the game and caring for the body. “

Sikma said European basketball influenced the transition from players to a perimeter focus in today’s NBA. Coincidentally, his son Luke is playing in his 10th season in Europe, the last six for Alba Berlin in the basketball Bundesliga in Germany.

“He’s a professional and is very much valued,” said Sikma. “I’m proud of the way he plays basketball and the way he behaves.”

Sikma added: “I was considering playing maybe a year (in Europe) at the end of my career. I wish I had. That would have been a great life experience for me. “