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Slain NBA Player Wright Memorialized in Hometown

By Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD on Aug 5th 2010 10:30AM
Filed under: Basketball

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Slain NBA player Wright memorialized in hometown

Former NBA player Lorenzen Wright was memorialized this week after his untimely death made national news. Fans and friends lined up at the FedEx forum to walk past Wright's casket. Wright was found in the woods on July 28, after disappearing in the middle of the night. He was missing for 10 days before being found.

Owner of the Memphis Grizzlies, Michael Heisley, attended the event, along with Wright's ex-wife and six children. Also, several NBA players paid respects, including Penny Hardaway and Zach Randolph.

Wright played two years at the University of Memphis, and was an All-American during his sophomore year. He was chosen seventh in the 1996 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Clippers and spent several years with various teams, including the Hawks, Grizzlies and Kings.

Wright's death has not been without controversy. There was a 911 call placed from Wright's phone near the time of his death. The call was received by a dispatcher who didn't tell officers about the call because he or she wasn't sure if it had come from inside their jurisdiction.

Police didn't hear about the call for another eight days, which has many wondering whether the police were doing their jobs. Making matters worse, officers stated initially that they didn't suspect foul play in Wright's death. It turns out that Wright was murdered.

There are quite a few questions left to be answered in the death of Lorenzen Wright. I'll be watching, reading, waiting and listening. I am sure it's going to get more interesting before it's done. May he rest in peace.


Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and the Athlete Liberation and Academic Reform Movement (ALARM). To have Dr. Boyce's commentary delivered to your e-mail, please click here.

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