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The legend of Syracuse basketball, Lawrence Moten, died at 53 years old.
Moten’s daughter Lawrencia confirmed her death on Tuesday, saying that he was found in his home in Washington, DC.
“Lawrence Moten was an icon of Syracuse,” said school sports director John Wildhack, in a statement. “His distinctions as a marker of all time in Syracuse and holding Big East’s score record for 25 years speak for themselves, but his style of play is what energized the dome and deserved his nickname,” Poetry in Menten “.
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Lawrence Moten of Syracuse (21) in action against Umass in Worcester, Massachusetts, on March 22, 1992. (Manny Millan / Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
“He was a must in the program long after his player career, always with a smile on his face. We extend our thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Lawrence. He will forever be Orange.”
Moten played for Orange from 1991 to 1995 and remains the top scorer of all time in the program with 2,334 career points. He collected an average of 19.3 points per game during his four years at the head of orange on hardwood.
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The impact of Moten occurred at a time when Syracuse was under the NCAA investigation, but he remained attached to the program. He collected on average 18.2 points in the first year, helping Syracuse reach the 1992 NCAA tournament.
The team was unable to qualify for March Madness next season, because the NCAA investigation led to a one -year tournament ban. However, Moten stayed and continued to bring the orange back to the tournament in 1994 and 1995, this last season giving him the second team of Honors All-America.
Lawrence Moten of the Orangeman of Syracuse Dribble Le Ballon in a university basketball match against the Georgetown Hoyas at the Capitol Center on January 20, 1992, in Landover, Maryland. (Mitchell Layton / Getty images)
Moten’s style of play, described as smooth and effortless, has led to its emblematic nickname of “Poetry in Menten” that orange fans have embraced.
Moten then played professionally after being drafted in the second round of the 1995 NBA draft by the Grizzlies of Vancouver. He spent two seasons with the club before signing with Washington Wizards in 1998.
He also played at the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) and the American Basketball Association (ABA) until 2006. His career also included stops abroad in Spain and Venezuela.
After his retirement, Moten returned to the Syracuse region to work with groups of young people in the city’s school district.
Lawrence Moten from Syracuse Orange takes a shot in a university basketball match against the Georgetown Hoyas on February 7, 1994 in Usair Arena in Landover, Maryland. (Mitchell Layton / Getty images)
Later, he continued to shape the next generation of basketball players in his hometown of Washington, DC, as director general of boys and girls teams at Digital Pioneers Academy.
