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Syracuse Basketball legend Lawrence Moten has died at 53.
The Moten’s daughter, LawrenCia, confirmed his death on Tuesday and said he was found in Hans Washington, DC, Home.
“The Lawrence Moten was an Syracuse icon,” the school’s athletic director, John Wildhack, said in a statement. “His accolades as Syracuse’s leading goal scorer and holding the Big East scoring record for 25 years speaking for himself, but his game style is what energyed the cock and deserved his nickname, ‘Poetry in the Mot.’
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Syracuses Lawrence Moten (21) in Action vs. Umass in Worcester, Massachusetts, March 22, 1992. (Manny Millan/Sports Illustrated Via Getty Images)
“He was a fixture around the program long after his playing career, always with a smile on his face. We are expanding our thoughts and prayers to Lawrence’s family and friends. He will be forever orange.”
The Mot played for Orange from 1991 to 1995 and remains the program’s leading goal scorer with 2,334 career points. He average 19.3 points per Battle during his four years that led orange on the hardwood.
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The impact of the motive came at a time when Syracuse was during NCAA examination, but he remained engaged in the program. He average 18.2 points as a beginner and helped Syracuse reach the NCAA tournament in 1992.
The team was unable to qualify for March Madness the next season as the NCAA investigation led to a year of tournament ban. Still, the mote remained and continued to lead Orange back to the tournament in 1994 and 1995, when the latter season served him other team all-American honors.
The Lawrence Mot from Syracuse Orangeman dribbles the ball under a college basketball game against Georgetown Hoyas at the Capitol Center on January 20, 1992 in Landover, Maryland. (Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
The motif’s playing style, described as smooth and effortless, led to his iconic “poetry in the Moten” nickname, which Orange fans embraced.
The Mot continued to play professionally after being drafted in the second round of 1995 NBA draft of Vancouver Grizzlies. He spent two seasons with the club before signing with Washington Wizards in 1998.
He also played in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) and the American Basketball Association (ABA) through 2006. His career also included overseas stops in Spain and Venezuela.
After retirement, the Mot returned to the Syracuse area to work with youth groups in the city’s school district.
The Lawrence Mot from Syracuse Orange takes a bad shot during a college basketball game against Georgetown Hoyas on February 7, 1994 at the USAir Arena in Landover, Maryland. (Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Later, he continued to shape the next generation of basketball players in his hometown Washington, DC, and served as general manager of the Boys and Girls team at Digital Pioneers Academy.
