Former NBA player and Syracuse University basketball legend Lawrence Moten, known by his moniker “Poetry in Moten,” has passed away at the age of 53.
Syracuse.com reported that Moten’s daughter, Lawrencia, confirmed that he was discovered dead in his home, Sept. 30, in Washington, D.C. No cause of death was revealed.
Moten was one of the best players in Syracuse University history and still holds the career school record of scoring 2,334 points. He attended the school from 1991 to 1995, when, at the time, he also achieved the milestone of becoming the holder of the Big East Conference career scoring record, with 1,405 points in conference play. That record has since been broken in 2020.
His alma mater released a statement through his former Syracuse teammate and current head coach, former NBA player, Adrian Autry.
“It’s a sad day for the Orange community,” said Autry. “For me, Lawrence was not only a teammate, but a friend. I can’t think of anybody that was more positive or who loved Syracuse more than he did. Obviously, his basketball – he was one of the greatest to put on the uniform. It’s a big loss. I was able to play alongside him for three years and watch him do some amazing things. I was fortunate to spend time with him on and off the court. I feel for his family, including his beautiful daughters. Lawrence was a positive light in this world. He was one of a kind. I’m going to miss him.”
“Lawrence was a positive light in this world.”@CoachRedAutry pic.twitter.com/wAtrjun04r
— Syracuse Men’s Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) September 30, 2025
Moten played in the NBA (Vancouver Grizzlies and Washington Wizards) after being selected by the Grizzlies in the second round of the 1995 NBA Draft. He also had stints in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) and the American Basketball Association (ABA) while also playing overseas in Spain and Venezuela.
He had an immediate impact at Syracuse when he averaged 18.2 points and 6.0 rebounds per game in 1991-92, becoming the first freshman to score 500 points in a season. That year, the conference named Moten the Big East Rookie of the Year and Third Team All-Big East.
Moten averaged 19.6 points during his collegiate career and broke the career scoring record that was previously held by New Jersey Nets player Derrick Coleman.
Former Syracuse Basketball Player, Lawrence Moten, Found Dead In Washington, D.C. Home
