Syracuse basketball legend Lawrence Moten dies at 53

Former Syracuse basketball star and all-time leading scorer Lawrence Moten died at the age of 53 on Tuesday. 

His daughter confirmed he died at his home in Washington D.C., though the cause of death has not been made clear.

“Lawrence’s passing is such a sudden thing,” former Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim said. “He was one of the most underrated college basketball players of all time. I believe some people took his ability for granted because he made it look so easy. Lawrence was one of our greatest players and one of the best in the history of the Big East Conference.”

The 6-foot-5 guard, nicknamed “Poetry in Motion” played at Syracuse from 1991 to 1995. He became a school record holder during his time with the Orange, scoring 2,334 points; a total that has not been challenged since. He was named Big East Rookie of the Year and was a three-time All Big East First-Team selection, averaging 19.3 points per game and being the Big East’s all time leading scorer until 2020. 

With Moten, Boeheim’s team made the NCAA tournament three times, including a Sweet 16 trip in 1994. 

Moten’s accolades led to his number, 21, being retired in a pre-game ceremony in 2018.

The legacy of Moten will be a large piece of the current team’s identity. Current SU head coach Adrian Autry wore Orange for three seasons as a teammate.

Courtesy of Legends Athletics

Lawrence Moten signs an autograph.

“For me, Lawrence was not only a teammate, but a friend,” Autry said. “I can’t think of anybody that was more positive or who loved Syracuse more than he did. I was fortunate to spend time with him on and off the court. I feel for his family, including his beautiful daughters.”

After his legendary career in college, Moten was a second-round draft pick by the Vancouver Grizzlies, spending three years in the league between Vancouver and the Washington Wizards.

After the NBA, he continued his basketball career in the U.S. until 2006. He was named a two-time all-star in the ABA, a semi-professional basketball league.

Moten spent the following years coaching the Rochester Razorshanks to a Premier Basketball League title and taught basketball to kids in central New York. 

Lawrence is survived by his wife Noelene and his two daughters.

“He was a fixture around the program long after his playing career, always with a smile on his face,”  athletic director John Wildhack said. “We extend our thoughts and prayers to Lawrence’s family friends. He will be Forever Orange.”