In cities across America there are basketball legends who are embraced locally. Anfernee Hardaway gets this respect in Memphis. In many ways he can be considered the king in Memphis – royalty in basketball as best to ever grace the city’s courts. And like every king with his royal heritage, there will be others who possess similar noble swag. Lorenzen Wright can be counted among nobles in that city. He is the Baron of Memphis basketball.

Lorenzen Wright at Memphis

Wright can claim such status in this city due to his University of Memphis pedigree and the upbringing of his father, Herb, who was a talented basketball player in his own right. Wright’s lineage is marked with basketball royalty only shared by a select few. From a young age he learned perseverance and toughness as he witnessed his father overcome adversity after being wheelchair bound. Herb played professionally and starred at Oral Roberts, although not a spectacular player, he understood the game and dabbled overseas before returning to Memphis.

While at a local community center, thugs shot Herb in the back in retaliation for his breaking up a fight earlier that evening. Despite this adversity he continued to teach Lorenzen the game and even earned a head coaching spot at Shelby Community College on the women’s team.

Wright’s grandmother raised him in Oxford, Mississippi for most of his life. With his parents in Memphis, Wright would frequently visit his father and spent a good portion of the summer months with his parents receiving training on his game. Wright played his first two years at Lafayette high school in Mississippi, taking his team to the state title as a sophomore before losing to Mississippi powerhouse Lanier (led by Georgetown bound Jerry Nichols).

But how could a player born and, for the most part, raised in Mississippi endear himself to the people of Memphis? After a fateful conversation with his parents, Lorenzen made the difficult decision to leave Lafayette High School and play his remaining years at Booker T. Washington in Memphis. The decision proved to be a great move, as he raised his profile on the court, averaging 27.6 points, 18.1 rebounds, and 6.6 blocks per game in his senior year while leading his team to the Tennessee state quarterfinals. Wright also earned a spot on McDonald’s prestigious All American team and was often viewed as a top 20 player in his class.

Wright was embraced by the city of Memphis and followed in the steps of many of other great Memphis city ball players, like William Bedford, Elliot Perry, and Anfernee Hardaway and committed to the University of Memphis. Many expected Wright to do well, but few knew he would become such an offensive force as a freshman, averaging a double-double in points and rebounds while earning First Team All-Great Midwest (a now defunct conference) and Newcomer of the Year honors. To top off the season, the Memphis Tigers made it to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen before losing to eventual champion, Arkansas. The following year, in a different conference, considered to be more competitive, Wright continued to dominate and made All-Conference USA first team honors. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 1996 NBA Draft as the seventh pick overall.

In his pro career, Wright never became the double-double threat in rebounding and scoring that many envisioned. However, his 13-year NBA career is not considered a bust, but rather, a trail of inconsistent play.

For those close to Wright and for the people of Memphis, he will most fondly be remembered for his brief, yet spectacular college career; for his role as a father to his six children with his ex-wife; and for his kind demeanor. It is unfortunate that his life ended so abruptly at only 34-years-old. Wright’s life was far too short for someone with such a big heart.

The Draft Review remembers Lorenzen Wright.