The basketball community lost a legend this Tuesday in Lawrence Moten. He was 53 years old.
Moten played at Syracuse from 1991-1995, averaging 19.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. He earned All-Big East honors three times and had his No. 21 retired by the university. Although plenty of great players have suited up for the Orange over the past three decades, Moten remains the program’s all-time leading scorer with 2,334 career points.
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After spending two seasons in the NBA with the Vancouver Grizzlies, Moten returned to Syracuse to help out youth groups for the city’s school district.
SYRACUSE, NY – NOVEMBER 8: General view of Syracuse Orange basketball game against Cornell Big Red on November 8, 2013 at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
Tributes pouring in for Moten.
As you’d imagine, the college basketball world is devastated over Moten’s death. He was a beloved figure not just because he excelled on the hardwood, but because he was a class act off it.
“Just awful, awful news. Lawrence Moten was not only a great player and a Syracuse legend, but he was one of my all-time favorite guys that I covered,” Mike Waters of Syracuse.com said.
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“So sorry to hear of Lawrence Moten’s passing. In addition to him being Syracuse’s all time leading scorer and one of the most prolific scorers in Big East History, he was also a great person who loved God, loved his family, and loved Syracuse. Rest in peace Poetry,” former Syracuse star Etan Thomas wrote on X.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel said, “This is completely heartbreaking. Prayers with Lawrence Moten’s family. An all-time great player in Syracuse and Big East history.”
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“This one REALLY hurts,” a Syracuse fan said. “Rest in peace Poetry Lawrence Moten.”
“RIP. We all used to try to play like poetry when we were kids,” another fan commented.
There’s no question Moten’s legacy will live on for years to come.
Our thoughts are with Moten’s loved ones during this difficult time.
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Sep 30, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Basketball section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.