One of the greatest Memphis Tigers to ever step foot on the basketball court, Lorenzen Wright's jersey (No. 55) will be retired in a ceremony at FedExForum at a future game determined with the family.
Wright will join an illustrious group of former Tigers to have their jersey hanging in the rafters: Win Wilfong (22), John Gunn (44), Larry Finch (21), Ronnie Robinson (33), Keith Lee (24), Elliot Perry (34), Anfernee Hardaway (25), Forest Arnold (13) and Larry Kenon (35).
A 2009 M Club Hall of Fame inductee, the Memphis native capped his career as one of the most decorated players in program history, earning numerous All-America honors as a sophomore and Freshman All-America honors in his inaugural campaign.
A 1995 All-Great Midwest first team and 1996 All-Conference USA first team selection, Wright is the only player in program's history to earn first team accolades from two different leagues. A two-year letter winner, Wright netted over 1,000 points and currently ranks No. 49 on the Tigers' career scoring list with 1,026 points.
He led Memphis in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots during both seasons he played in the Bluff City and averaged a double-double for his career with 16.0 points and 10.3 rebounds. He finished his career with 31 double-doubles, the seventh-most in school history, and helped the Tigers to back-to-back 20-win campaigns and consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, advancing to the Sweet Sixteen in 1995.
Following his sophomore year, Wright entered the 1996 NBA Draft and was taken No. 7 overall by the Los Angeles Clippers. He went on to play 13 seasons in the association with five different teams.
To initially be considered to have a jersey retired, the student-athlete must have demonstrated quality character and leadership during his/her collegiate career and post-collegiate career, as well as outstanding athletic abilities that garnered positive accolades for the University of Memphis. Additionally, the student-athlete must have been awarded at least one of the following: All-America recognition, All-Conference First Team recognition in multiple years, and/or national individual awards as a collegiate or professional athlete. The student-athlete must have previously been voted into the M Club Hall of Fame before being considered for jersey retirement.
Nominations for jersey retirement may be submitted by the university community, coaches, M Club members, and/or media members. From there, the M Club Board discusses the candidate's merits and votes to push the nomination forward to a committee made up of the athletic department's Senior Woman Administrator, Sports Information Director, the University's Faculty Athletic Representative, the M Club Board President, two M Club representatives and the M Club Director.
This group of seven weighs the recommendation of the M Club Board and decides whether to move the nomination to the Director of Athletics for his or her final approval.
Original source can be found here
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