Wednesday, July 28th, 2010 at 5:27 pm  |  96 responses

Lorenzen Wright, 1975-2010

Rest in peace…

The body of longtime NBA player Lorenzen Wright was identified today in southeast Memphis. Wright, who played his high school and college basketball in Memphis before going on to a 13-year NBA career, had been missing for over a week. The Memphis site myeyewitnessnews.com cites sources who report “the body was found in the wooded area of Hacks Cross and Winchester Road. It appears, sources say he had been shot and it may be self inflected.”

According to the Memphis Commercial Appeal:

Police sources have confirmed they are investigating a 911 hangup call from Wright’s cellphone left Monday morning – the day he disappeared.

Wright likely had a lot of cash on him when he was last seen leaving his ex-wife’s Collierville home, fueling concerns he may be the victim of foul play, according to a Collierville police report released today.

Wright, a former NBA standout who once played for the Memphis Grizzlies, recently flew in from Atlanta to Memphis to visit friends and his six children, friends said. He was scheduled to catch a ride back to the Atlanta area July 19 with a buddy with his six kids in tow. He was last seen in the wee hours of that morning, at about 2 a.m., leaving his ex-wife’s Whisperwood Drive home, but his former wife, Sherra Robinson Wright, 39, told police she doesn’t know who he left with or what type of car they were in, according to the missing person’s report.

On a brief personal note, I had the opportunity to cover Wright on a daily basis when he was a member of the Atlanta Hawks back in 1999-00, and he was one of the nicest, most personable people I’ve ever had the chance to cover, always upbeat, even when he couldn’t find consistent playing time. One season later, given more playing time by then-Hawks coach Lon Kruger, Wright averaged a career-high 12.4 ppg and became one of Atlanta’s most consistent performers.

I was so glad to see a good guy having what seemed to be a breakout season that I wrote a small item about ‘Ren in SLAM 50.

“If you used to play ten minutes a game and you’re getting twenty minutes a game, you’re going to do a whole lot more, ain’t ya?” Wright asked me. “When I get the opportunity to play, I play hard. And good things come to those who play hard.”

Lorenzen Wright was 34 years old.

Damn. — Lang Whitaker

cle_wright_lorenzen

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  • James the Balla Posted: Jul.28 at 5:31 pm
    Damn, R.I.P

  • Hurachie Posted: Jul.28 at 5:32 pm
    RIP

  • Tzvi Twersky Posted: Jul.28 at 5:34 pm
    Too soon. RIP…

  • mike Posted: Jul.28 at 5:34 pm
    God damn shame…RIP

  • OneStep Posted: Jul.28 at 5:34 pm
    Damn indeed. Sad, sad news. Bad things shouldn’t happen to good people. R.I.P.

  • The Philosopher Posted: Jul.28 at 5:35 pm
    Life will make one do it.
    It really will.
    It really will.

  • Lang Whitaker Posted: Jul.28 at 5:36 pm
    Also, some good stuff about Lorenzen from SI’s Jon Wertheim:
    http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/jon_wertheim/07/28/lorenzen.wright/
    How can you not like a guy who had a dog named “Woof.”

  • total scrotal implosion Posted: Jul.28 at 5:36 pm
    Damn. I feel so bad for his kids. I hope police can catch the culprits. Is this another instance of athlete being targeted? ….Tomorrow is guaranteed to none

  • IAMORANGE4EVER Posted: Jul.28 at 5:40 pm
    This so feels like the disappearance and murder of Patrick Dennehy. RIP, Lorenzen Wright.

  • Young C Posted: Jul.28 at 5:40 pm
    Damn shame. R.I.P Lorenzen Wright.

  • Kevin Posted: Jul.28 at 5:40 pm
    Damn, something you just absolutely never want to hear. RIP

  • joey dorseys elbow Posted: Jul.28 at 5:43 pm
    They’re saying locally that the wound looks self inflicted

  • Lang Whitaker Posted: Jul.28 at 5:44 pm
    I try not to curse, but this news really makes me want to curse.

  • grandmama Posted: Jul.28 at 5:44 pm
    R.I.P. :(

  • niQ Posted: Jul.28 at 5:45 pm
    R.I.P. Lorenzen Wright.

  • Allenp Posted: Jul.28 at 5:50 pm
    When this first dropped, officials were saying no foul play was suspected, while the family was really concerned that dude was in trouble. Now this news comes out. That sucks.

  • bnets Posted: Jul.28 at 5:52 pm
    RIP

  • AlbertBarr Posted: Jul.28 at 6:02 pm
    We roll, we go. R.I.P.

  • Maurice Garland Posted: Jul.28 at 6:04 pm
    heavy stuff man. damn. wow man.

  • The Philosopher Posted: Jul.28 at 6:07 pm
    The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.

  • The Philosopher Posted: Jul.28 at 6:11 pm
    Life is a foreign language.
    All men mispronounce it. – Christopher Morley.

  • BossTerry Posted: Jul.28 at 6:15 pm
    Sad, sad news.. RIP Lorenzen…

  • The Seed Posted: Jul.28 at 6:21 pm
    Will pray for his family, because if it is self inflicted alot of questions will be brought up about what he felt he was lacking in his life, to take his soul away like that.

  • Rusty Posted: Jul.28 at 6:24 pm
    RIP, tragic for someone to go so young

  • Michael NZ Posted: Jul.28 at 6:25 pm
    Very sad news. RIP.

  • Jake Posted: Jul.28 at 6:40 pm
    One of my favorite players ever.Even though he never put up the numbers some felt he should have,he played with heart when he got the chance.The tragedy with his child a few years ago and injuries probably took a toll on him.Hopefully he has some peace now.

  • Gerard Himself Posted: Jul.28 at 6:41 pm
    sad news man…. can’t even imagine how awful this must be for his family. 34 years old…. damn…

  • Evin Posted: Jul.28 at 6:42 pm
    I feel for his family.

  • wilz Posted: Jul.28 at 6:42 pm
    cruel world

  • Moose Posted: Jul.28 at 6:54 pm
    RIP

  • JTaylor21 Posted: Jul.28 at 6:56 pm
    Anybody who’s from and knows about the M-Town knowns that this wasn’t a suicide. It gets durrty down there real quick. RIP Lorenzen

  • Pardeep Posted: Jul.28 at 7:07 pm
    Sad sad story, RIP

  • BETCATS Posted: Jul.28 at 7:08 pm
    It’s a shame stuff like this happens. RIP

  • james Posted: Jul.28 at 7:08 pm
    why would you go out to the woods to commit suicide? mannn i dont think this was a suicide. May God bless his family and may his soul rest in peace. RIP Lorenzen Wright

  • Hurricane Posted: Jul.28 at 7:14 pm
    R.I.P.

  • Kevin Posted: Jul.28 at 7:18 pm
    I agree with James, i’m not too sold on this being a suicide. Still though you hate to see a man taken from this world in this manner at only 34

  • CHI-TOWN SAID IT.. Posted: Jul.28 at 7:20 pm
    God BLESS HIM AND HIS FAMILY

  • Shem Posted: Jul.28 at 7:37 pm
    I’ve only got love for this guy. Awesome player, awesome guy. RIP Wright, damn shame it happened to such a good guy..

  • gani Posted: Jul.28 at 7:41 pm
    RIP Lorenzen Wright

  • doyouwantmore Posted: Jul.28 at 7:43 pm
    Ah man. Poor family. Rest in peace.

  • jose Posted: Jul.28 at 7:48 pm
    Dang, Like i saw this and like i shivered, cuz i really didn’t look into his disappearance that much, i figured he’s be found, but not like this. This got me shaken up a bit. R.I.P. Lorenzen…..Ish! It aint fair….jus aint…

  • Toni Kukoc Posted: Jul.28 at 7:50 pm
    Sad Sad World R.I.P. Lorenzo

  • total scrotal implosion Posted: Jul.28 at 7:59 pm
    For one day youre here, and then youre goooooooooooonnee. ‘i asked god why you let these killers live but take my homeboys son away’……i saw my homie once before he died, wish it was twice mayne

  • Dacre Posted: Jul.28 at 8:03 pm
    This is bad. 6 kids left behind… :(

  • brotherwithwisdom Posted: Jul.28 at 8:15 pm
    R.I.P. Lorenzen Wright 1975-2010 just really sad news for the basketball world and the entire world in general. Gone too soon.

  • brotherwithwisdom Posted: Jul.28 at 8:15 pm
    R.I.P. Lorenzen Wright 1975-2010 just really sad news for the basketball world and the entire world in general. Gone too soon.

  • Negetivekreep Posted: Jul.28 at 8:25 pm
    Tragic. Be it murder or be it suicide, His suffering is over. He’s in good hands now.

  • Kevin Posted: Jul.28 at 8:46 pm
    Word just came from Memphis that it was a murder, reports say he was shot up to 12 times

  • unrel Posted: Jul.28 at 8:55 pm
    RIP lorenzen.. i’ll pour a little out for you..

  • darius Posted: Jul.28 at 9:46 pm
    Peace in heaven

  • Akira Posted: Jul.28 at 10:04 pm
    Rest in peace
    A diferent world a diferent life
    now you die
    now we cry

  • nastierthanu Posted: Jul.28 at 11:26 pm
    Prepare for tomorrow today.

  • Harrell Posted: Jul.29 at 12:09 am
    Damn lighting one up for u homie stay strong fam, stay strong city he may not have been a premier player but he was a human being and this just wrong

  • Jukai Posted: Jul.29 at 12:50 am
    This is really upsetting. I liked this dude. Hope he’s found some peace…

  • D.A. Posted: Jul.29 at 1:09 am
    Rest In Peace. Thoughts and Prayers are with You and Your Family.

  • Simon S.Y Lawy Posted: Jul.29 at 1:30 am
    Rest In peace In Heaven

  • 4RD1 Posted: Jul.29 at 1:59 am
    RIP

  • underdog Posted: Jul.29 at 2:26 am
    R.I.P.

  • GIANNIS BOUROUSIS Posted: Jul.29 at 2:33 am
    I remember SLAM calling him “a dunking fool” back in the day, long and explosive around the basket but never really became the player most people thought he could be…RIP.

  • Hursty Posted: Jul.29 at 3:14 am
    This guy always looked out for his family and loved ones.
    RIP.

  • Klemperer Posted: Jul.29 at 3:33 am
    We need God in the land of the dying. RIP Lorenzen, RIP.

  • total scrotal implosion Posted: Jul.29 at 4:02 am
    For all the technology, this world is still a jungle. You can only depend on yourself for your survival. Keep one in the chamber

  • kangaroo Jack Posted: Jul.29 at 4:12 am
    condolences to his family. R.I.P

  • toodlum48 Posted: Jul.29 at 4:13 am
    Yea, people here that know the M-town & how it gets way too damn much & way tired of it! The way the C-ville PD handled case is not very good at all from the way it seems in the paper, saying there was no major concern to think anything happened to him…the whole damn time his family was SCREAMING something was not right….damn shame right there! Prayers with family & RIP-from those who remember…true to the blue!

  • total scrotal implosion Posted: Jul.29 at 4:23 am
    Last year, we poured out liquor for you. This year, life goes on…………id be a liar if I told u that I never thought of death, my nicca, we the last ones left, life goes on

  • gregor Posted: Jul.29 at 4:24 am
    R.I.P Gone from this world far too early

  • Krisjanis Posted: Jul.29 at 4:25 am
    Rest In Peace Lorenzen Wright. Thoughts and Prayers are with You and Your Family.

  • BossTerry Posted: Jul.29 at 4:39 am
    1996 L.A. Clippers- Lorenzen Wright (RIP).. Kevin Duckworth (RIP).. Malik Sealy (RIP).. Brian Williams/Bison Dele (RIP).. Rodney Rogers (quadriplegic).. Sorry if my facts arent straight, this was someones comment on facebook about Wright… Hope everyone keeps their Clippers jokes to themselves, and mourns these men’s souls..

  • LeoneL Posted: Jul.29 at 4:40 am
    Rest in Peace Big Man.

  • Ali Posted: Jul.29 at 4:40 am
    Condolences…

  • J Posted: Jul.29 at 5:56 am
    rest in peace lorenzen.

  • Victor Scott Posted: Jul.29 at 6:49 am
    im his sons bestfriend..Big Ren was always a man of love & care he did so much for his family he will be missed..RIP i love you Big Ren

  • joesmth783 Posted: Jul.29 at 6:49 am
    great man but clearly had a lot going on in his life r.i.p

  • james Posted: Jul.29 at 6:55 am
    rip

  • hoodsnake Posted: Jul.29 at 7:07 am
    RIP

  • Vikturus Posted: Jul.29 at 7:39 am
    Rest in Peace

  • Ngoie Posted: Jul.29 at 7:45 am
    RIP big man

  • Don Posted: Jul.29 at 8:17 am
    Rest In Peace. Carmelo Anthony summed it up on Twitter: carmeloanthony: Sending out prayers to Lorenzen Wright family. He will be missed around the NBA. Hope this open people eyes. Nothing in life is guaranteed.

  • Hussman25 Posted: Jul.29 at 8:26 am
    Damn was the first thing I said when I heard the news yesterday. Well said Lang… R.I.P

  • Donnell Suggs-Atlanta Voice reporter Posted: Jul.29 at 8:45 am
    Rest In Peace Bro!

  • SLAM ONLINE | » Hot Topics Posted: Jul.29 at 9:53 am
    [...] RIP, Lorenzen Wright [...]

  • wayno Posted: Jul.29 at 9:57 am
    Shot 12 times?!? WTF! I hope catch the coward who did this. RIP Mr. Wright…

  • Hussman25 Posted: Jul.29 at 10:02 am
    I really hope that no one from his “posse” is affiliated or associated w/ this crime. Just me being a conspiracy theorist. Mr. Wright was going thru some financial issues.. Pending divorce, 2 homes going up for sale (or forclosure), Pending Child and alimony payments, etc… Seeing the end of the money train Mr. Wright provided could have been the last straw. (Was reading SI’s Jon Wertheim’s story on his posse yesterday a few hours b4 the news of his death broke)… Even if this is the case… there’s no way he deserved to be shot 12 times (or shot @ all for that matter). This is sad all the way around :O(

  • Joey Posted: Jul.29 at 11:59 am
    i watched a lot of Memphis tiger highlights back in the day when he, Michael Wilson and company were dunking on everybody! and doing it successfully for the two years he played there, and although his NBA career wasn’t as fruitful on the court, he seemed like a guy who had no issues with anyone off of it….doesnt matter the reason he was gunned down, nor how many tmes he was shot, what matters is that a human being lost their life, and it should have been when his time came, not by anyone taking it from him…you won’t be forgotten man! RIP!

  • Big Marv Posted: Jul.29 at 12:34 pm
    R.i.p. you never knows what can be going on in someone’s life. My thoughts go out to his family and 6 kids.

  • Darksaber Posted: Jul.29 at 12:41 pm
    12 self inflicted gunshot wounds?!! Is that PD f*cking kidding? Poor guy.

  • str8 from samoa Posted: Jul.29 at 6:12 pm
    good people? this dude was probly bad outside da nba life haha. R.I.P.

  • PlanetAsia14 Posted: Jul.29 at 6:18 pm
    Damn… Rest In Peace Lorenzen, we won’t forget you.

  • Drichwestwood Posted: Jul.29 at 7:31 pm
    Damn IT seems like yesterday seeing you ride down wannata street getting out of your Benz and talking like a (regular) to me and egg.not once but every time we yell a you .you will be miss truly westwood tenn! RIP 1975-2010

  • Chou Posted: Jul.29 at 8:39 pm
    Damn shame. RIP Mr. Wright.

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Jul.30 at 3:02 am
    RIP.. Thoughts and prayers to his family.

  • Krazed Posted: Jul.30 at 7:56 am
    RIP Mr. Lorenzen Wright, God Bless your soul and prayers to your family….May your perpetrators be caught and brought forth to justice

  • DreXnaW21 Posted: Jul.30 at 12:28 pm
    There is no happy endings in real life…
    R.I.P. Lorenzen Wright

  • j4zzm4n Posted: Jul.30 at 4:36 pm
    r.i.p may god be with your soul and your loved ones

  • The Promise Posted: Jul.31 at 1:34 pm
    R.I.P. man, no way was this a suicide, some very cold individuals did this I’m afraid. Hope they get caught and get put away for a very long time, nobody deserves to go out like that…

  • SLAM ONLINE | » Lorenzen Wright Investigation Update Posted: Aug.16 at 9:15 am
    [...] the three weeks since Lorenzen Wright was tragically found dead, a police investigation has taken many interesting turns, none more so than the latest one. The AJC [...]

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