Lawrence Moten: A Syracuse Basketball Legend
Lawrence Moten, a celebrated figure in Syracuse basketball during the early 1990s, passed away at the age of 53. He became a legend in the school’s history, holding the record for most career points scored, with 2,334, during his time with the Orange from 1991 to 1994. Moten’s sudden death, which occurred at his home in Washington, D.C., was confirmed on Tuesday by an athletic department spokesperson, who indicated that multiple staff members had been notified by various sources. The cause of his passing has not yet been disclosed.
Career Highlights and Legacy
Standing at 6 feet 5 inches tall and known affectionately as “Poetry in Moten”, he was a standout player in the Big East Conference, where he accumulated a conference-record 1,405 points—a record that remained unbroken until 2020. Jim Boeheim, the Hall of Fame coach who both recruited and guided Moten, expressed deep sorrow over the loss, stating:
“Lawrence’s passing is such a sudden thing — it’s very hard to take. He was one of the most underrated college basketball players of all time. Some people took his ability for granted because he made it look so easy.”
During Moten’s tenure, Syracuse made three appearances in the NCAA tournament, and his contributions to the team were honored when his No. 21 jersey was retired in a ceremony held on March 3, 2018, at the Carrier Dome. His teammate, Adrian Autry, who succeeded Boeheim as head coach in 2023, reminisced about their time together, calling Moten one of the greatest players to don the Syracuse uniform:
“I can’t think of anybody that was more positive or loved Syracuse more than he did. It’s a big loss.”
John Wildhack, the athletic director, recognized Moten’s status as a Syracuse icon:
“His accolades as Syracuse’s all-time leading scorer and holding the Big East scoring record for 25 years speak for themselves, but his style of play is what energized the Dome. He was a fixture around the program long after his playing career, always with a smile on his face.”
Professional Career and Community Impact
Moten’s professional career began when he was selected in the second round of the 1995 NBA Draft by the Vancouver Grizzlies, where he played for two seasons before briefly joining the Washington Wizards in 1998. His legacy extends beyond his statistics to the joy and energy he brought to the sport as both a player and a member of the Syracuse community, making his loss deeply felt among fans and players alike.
