Lorenzen WrightBirth Chart

Lorenzen Vern-Gagne Wright was an American professional basketball player who spent thirteen seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). A product of the University of Memphis, he was selected seventh overall in the 1996 draft and wore the uniforms of the Los Angeles Clippers, Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings and Cleveland Cavaliers. Over his career he averaged 8.0 points and 6.4 rebounds in 778 games, noted for his physical presence at center and for several solid seasons, peaking at 12.4 points per game in 2000–01.

Born and raised between Oxford and Memphis, Wright played a significant role in the local basketball scene, competing at every level in the city — high school, college and professional — and maintained ties to the community, including charitable efforts following the death of his daughter that led to the creation of a memorial scholarship. His personal work also included involvement in support networks for Memphis youth.

Wright’s death in July 2010, initially treated as a disappearance, became a widely publicized case in Memphis and the sports world. Subsequent investigations resulted in charges and convictions connected to the crime; the trial and its repercussions drew intense media and local authorities’ attention, leaving a complex legacy that intertwines sport, violence and legal issues.