On Saturday, February 4th, Memphis will retire a legend’s jersey. That legend is Lorenzen Wright, who played for the Tigers from 1994-1996. In those short years, Tiger fans would fall in love with “Wren” as a young man and basketball player. When the Tigers unveil Wrights’s jersey, against Tulane, in FedEx Forum it will be something Memphis fans have been wanting for some time. How did he become a legend in Memphis? Why is this important? What other names are retired for Memphis Basketball? We will answer all of these questions and more. Who is Lorenzen Wright and how did he become a Memphis legend?
How Did Lorenzen Become the Legend?
Lorenzen would come to Memphis from Oxford, Mississippi, and Lafayette High School. Wright would attend Booker T Washington for his senior season. After his senior season, Wright would sign with Memphis State to play basketball for the legendary Larry Finch. Wright would become a fan favorite as well as one of the most decorated players in Memphis history. Wright would be named to the 1995 All-Great Midwest Team and the 1996 Conference USA first-team selection making him the only player in program history to have first-team accolades from two different conferences. Wright’s play would garner his Freshman All- American honors and a plethora of All- American awards as a sophomore. Wright would score 1,026 points in his career which currently ranks him #49 all-time.
#55 Is Forever In The Sky
The honor of having your jersey retired is something not many players get to experience. For the number 55 to be on the rafter at the FedEx Forum will be bittersweet. The tragedy that took place in his death is something his family, the university, and its fans will never forget. Wright had the numbers as we mentioned above for his number to be retired years back. The 2009 M Club Member will join some Tiger greats in having this honor.
Wright will join this list of Memphis Basketball legends to have their jersey retired. These players are Win Wilfong, who played from 1955-1957 {#22}, John Gunn, who played from 1974-1977 {#44}, Larry Finch, who played from 1969-1973 {#21}, Ronnie Robinson, who played from 1972-1973 {#33}, Keith Lee, who played from 1981-1985 {#24}, Elliot Perry, who played from 1987-1991 {#34}, Anfernee Hardaway, who played from 1991-1993 {#25}, Forest Arnold, who played in 1952 {#13}, and Larry Kenon, who played from 1972-1973 {#35}. Seeing the #55 with WRIGHT under it will be what is deserved. It is honestly overdue. The game, on Saturday, will be an emotional one for fans in attendance. Tigers head coach Penny Hardaway and Wright were very close as Wright joined the Tigers the season following Hardaway’s departure.
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