Lorenzen Wright’s death was a piece of sports history shrouded in mystery, until recent revelations brought answers.
Today marks nine years since Memphis investigators uncovered the body of former NBA
seventh overall pick Lorenzen Wright, shot to death at the age of 34. The former Memphis Grizzlies and Cleveland Cavaliers player would leave behind six children but the pain of this devastating news would not end there. For over seven years, the investigation remained one of the Memphis Police Department’s most high-profile unsolved cases.
At nearly seven feet tall, Lorenzen Wright was a giant in his hometown. He was already a local high school star before playing two years of basketball for the University of Memphis, and five seasons for the Memphis Grizzlies. Even today, it’s difficult to overstate the tragedy of Wright’s death, as he remains one of the most celebrated players in the basketball-rich city of Memphis.
The cold case remained unsolved until December 15, 2017 when Wright’s ex-wife and mother of six children, Sherra Wright-Robinson was arrested in connection with the murder. Wright-Robinson worked with a man named Billy R. Turner, a local landscaper and church deacon. Investigators say Turner acted as an accomplice to Wright’s murder, which took place a few months after the couple divorced. Wright-Robinson collected a $1 million dollar life insurance settlement as a result of his death, and spent it lavishly according to Wright’s family. Both Turner and Wright-Robinson initially pleaded not-guilty.
This Thursday, almost two years after Wright-Robinson’s arrest, the Wright family was finally awarded some form of closure. Sherra Wright-Robinson admitted to facilitating Lorenzen Wright’s 2010 murder, after reaching a plea deal. Wright-Robinson will serve 30 years in prison and is eligible for parole in nine years.
During Lorenzen’s 13-year NBA career, he played for the Los Angeles Clippers, Atlanta Hawks, Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings and Cleveland Cavaliers. In 778 regular-season games, he averaged 8.0 points and 6.4 rebounds, with $55 million in career earnings.
