Former University of Memphis basketball standout and newly-acquired Memphis Grizzly Lorenzen Wright has done some extensive traveling since his departure from Memphis five years ago.
Now, after being traded to his hometown team, everything seems to have come full circle for the 6-11 center.
“It feels good to be back at the crib,” Wright said.
Wright said he has missed the atmosphere of Memphis, but added being home again is only somewhat the same.
“It feels like summertime,” Wright said. “Usually when I’m home, it’s the off-season, and I know I have to go back.”
This time it’s different for Wright. After five NBA seasons and two teams, Wright is hoping he’s returned home for good.
After leaving The U of M in 1996, Wright was drafted by the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers, where he spent three years. As a Clipper, Wright averaged 26 minutes and just under eight points and nine rebounds per game.
Wright spent the following season with the Atlanta Hawks, where he averaged 9.2 points and a little over six rebounds in 22 minutes per contest. This past off-season, Wright was traded to the Grizzlies.
Wright said he was looking forward to playing against the Grizzlies when he found out they would relocate to Memphis, but was even more excited when he found out he would become a Grizzly himself.
“I was looking forward to coming here before I knew I was being traded,” Wright said. “I was going to be happy just coming once or twice a year so I could play hard in front of the home fans. Now I’m going to have to play hard in front of the home fans 41 games a year.”
Wright is used to playing hard at The Pyramid, where as a Tiger, he lost just one game.
“I built that house,” Wright said, referring to The Pyramid. “Now I have to do everything I can to win as many as I can with the Grizzlies. I know I can’t keep my old record, but I can try.”
When Wright isn’t playing in The Pyramid, he said he plans to check out the Tigers. Wright said he’s ready to watch the team coach John Calipari has assembled and he’ll be in attendance whenever possible.
“I’m definitely going to make some games,” Wright said. “If we’re home, and they have a game, I’m going to make it if I’m not too tired.”
Wright also said he thinks this year’s team will do a good job of protecting the house he “built.”
“They can go as far as they want to go,” Wright said. “I can see them going as far as the Final Four.”
