Lorenzen Wright facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Lorenzen Wright

Wright in 2005
Personal information
Born	(1975-11-04)November 4, 1975 Oxford, Mississippi, U.S.
Died	July 19, 2010(2010-07-19) (aged 34) Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
High school	Lafayette (Oxford, Mississippi) Booker T. Washington (Memphis, Tennessee)
Listed height	6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Listed weight	255 lb (116 kg)
Career information
College	Memphis (1994–1996)
NBA Draft	1996 / Round: 1 / Pick: 7th overall
Selected by the Los Angeles Clippers
Pro career	1996–2009
Career history
1996–1999	Los Angeles Clippers
1999–2001	Atlanta Hawks
2001–2006	Memphis Grizzlies
2006–2008	Atlanta Hawks
2008	Sacramento Kings
2008–2009	Cleveland Cavaliers
Career highlights and awards
Consensus second-team All-American (1996) First-team All-Conference USA (1996) McDonald's All-American (1994) Second-team Parade All-American (1994)
Career NBA statistics
Points	6,191 (8.0 ppg)
Rebounds	4,943 (6.4 rpg)
Assists	622 (0.8 apg)
Medals Men's Basketball Representing  United States Summer Universiade Gold 1995 Fukuoka Team competition

Lorenzen Vern-Gagne Wright (November 4, 1975 – July 19, 2010) was an American professional basketball player. He played for 13 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was chosen seventh overall in the 1996 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Clippers. He also played for the Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Early Life and College Basketball

Lorenzen Wright grew up in Oxford, Mississippi. He played basketball for Lafayette High School there. Later, he moved to Memphis, Tennessee, for his senior year. He played for Booker T. Washington High School.

Wright played basketball at all levels in Memphis. This included high school, college, and professional teams. His father, Herb, was also a professional basketball player. He played in Finland and tried out for the Utah Jazz.

While playing for the University of Memphis, Wright was a standout player. He was named a Third Team All-American by the Associated Press. This honor came during his second year of college.

Professional Basketball Career

The Los Angeles Clippers picked Lorenzen Wright seventh overall in the 1996 NBA Draft. This was after his time at the University of Memphis. As a rookie, he scored 17 points in a playoff game against the Utah Jazz in 1997.

In December 1997, he had a great game. He scored 32 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. This was during an overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Wright joined the Atlanta Hawks in 1999. With them, he averaged a career-high 12.4 points per game. This was during the 2000-01 NBA season. He then moved to the Memphis Grizzlies in June 2001.

On January 6, 2003, Wright helped the Grizzlies win. He scored 20 points and got 14 rebounds. This was in a 106-102 victory over the New Orleans Hornets. He later returned to play for the Atlanta Hawks in 2006.

In February 2008, he was part of a trade. He moved from Atlanta to the Sacramento Kings. This trade involved several players.

Over his 13 seasons in the NBA, Wright played in 778 games. He averaged 8.0 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. These numbers show his strong presence on the court.

Lorenzen's Personal Life

Lorenzen Wright cared about helping others. He started the Sierra Simone Wright Scholarship Fund. He created this fund after his baby daughter passed away in March 2003.

In the summer of 2003, he went back to the University of Memphis. He wanted to finish his college degree.

During his first time playing for the Atlanta Hawks, Wright helped a young person in need. He and three other NBA players from Memphis gave money to Travis Butler. Travis was an orphan from Memphis whose story was known nationally.

Disappearance and Passing

Lorenzen Wright went missing on July 18, 2010. His family reported him missing a few days later. His body was found 10 days later in a wooded area in Memphis, Tennessee. His death was investigated by authorities.

Wright is buried in Calvary Cemetery in Memphis, Tennessee.

See also

In Spanish: Lorenzen Wright para niños

NBA Career Statistics

Regular Season Games

Playoff Games