Legendary Men's College Basketball Star Dead Tuesday At 53

Originally posted on The Spun | By Daniel Bates | Last updated Sep 30, 2025 3:44 PM ET

One of the greatest players in the history of Syracuse basketball has reportedly passed away.

On Tuesday, former Orange guard Lawrence Moten, who starred for the school in the early to mid-'90s, was reportedly found dead in his Washington D.C. home — with his daughter, Lawrencia, later confirming the news.

Moten, who remains 'Cuse's all-time leading scorer, was only 53-years-old; and his effortless ability to put the ball in the basket earned him the nickname "Poetry in Moten."

SYRACUSE, NY - FEBRUARY 23: A general view of the Carrier Dome at the opening tip during the game between the Syracuse Orange and the Georgetown Hoyas on February 23, 2013 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Nate Shron/Getty Images)Getty

Lawrence Moten dies at 53

Moten finished his college basketball career with 2,334 points and averaged 19.3 points per game as a member of the Orange's backcourt where he played from 1991-1995.

As a freshman, he averaged 18.2 points per game and helped a Syracuse team (that wasn't the brand it is now) reach the 1992 NCAA Tournament.

A one-year March Madness ban kept 'Cuse out of contention the following year, but Moten returned them to the tournament in '94 and '95 where he was named a second-team All-American as a senior.

Life after Syracuse

Perhaps best known for his high socks and scoring, Moten was relatively unheralded coming out of his Washington D.C. high school. But he didn't let that stop him from going on to accomplish great things in a Syracuse uniform.

Moten was selected with the 36th overall pick in the second round of the NBA Draft in 1995 — a draft class that included Rasheed Wallace, Kevin Garnett, Damon Stoudamire and Michael Finley.

The 6-foot-5 SG played two seasons with the Vancouver Grizzlies before a brief eight-game stint with his hometown Wizards in 1998. And then he returned to Syracuse to give back to the city's school district.

Syracuse legend Lawrence Moten dies at 53 https://t.co/bcZC3Gu6Hj pic.twitter.com/fnpNzQe2QA
— Syracuse Basketball (@syrbasketball) September 30, 2025

It's a shame that his loved ones had to say goodbye to him so soon. But they can take solace in the legacy he left behind as both a player and a member of the Syracuse/D.C. communities.

It's hard to believe that we're also coming up on the 10-year anniversary of Dwayne "Pearl" Washington's passing as well.

May Moten rest in peace — a true 'Cuse legend.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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