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New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Isiah Thomas announced today the resignation of Head Coach Lenny Wilkens and named Assistant Coach Herb Williams the new head coach.

“There are very few people in the sports-world or in society that combine great talent with class, dignity and humility. But these qualities have been Lenny’s trademark throughout his Hall-of-Fame life and career. He agreed to come to New York last season during an extremely difficult time, and his presence played a major role in reconnecting the Knicks to the pride of this city,” Thomas said. “On behalf of everyone in the entire Knicks organization, I want to thank Lenny for his commitment to this team and express our deep disappointment we are losing a great coach.”

Wilkens, the winningest coach in NBA history finished his Knicks career with a 40-41 mark since his hiring on Jan. 15, 2004 last season. After taking over a team with a 16-24 record during 2003-04, the 67-year-old Brooklyn, NY-native guided the Knicks to a third-place finish in the Atlantic Division and its first playoff berth in three years. Wilkens, a Naismith Hall-of-Fame inductee as both a player and coach, has an all-time coaching record of 1,332-1,1155 (.536).

“We are pleased to give Herb Williams this opportunity to be the head coach of the New York Knicks, and we’ll do everything we can to help him succeed. We are confident that we can continue to give our fans the kind of competitive basketball they expect and deserve,” added Thomas.

Williams, an assistant on the Knicks bench since Dec. 29, 2001, is the senior member of the team’s coaching staff and has been with the organization since his playing days, starting in 1992. Now in his fourth season as a coach and 11th season overall in New York, the 46-year-old Columbus, OH-native was the head coach for the team’s entry in the 2004 Summer Pro League in Long Beach, CA and the co-head coach on the team’s two entries during the 2003 summer league sessions. He is also credited with a regular season win on Jan. 14, 2004, one day prior to Wilkens’ arrival in New York.

“While it is an honor and privilege to be named as the head coach of this storied franchise, there is still a lot work that needs to get done to continue to point our team in the right direction,” Williams said. “The opportunity that has been given to me by Isiah is one that I will cherish for the rest of my career.”

Originally signed as a free agent on Nov. 15, 1992, Williams spent seven seasons in the blue and orange – and as a member of the 1994 and 1999 Eastern Conference Championship teams - until his retirement following 1998-99. As a force in the Knicks locker room as a true leader, the 6-11 center had the distinction of being named Knicks captain for three seasons from 1996-97 through 1998-99, along with Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley and Larry Johnson. Also as a member of the Indiana Pacers, Dallas Mavericks and Toronto Raptors, Williams played for 18 NBA seasons and was one of just eight players in NBA history to appear in a game following his 41st birthday.