Syracuse Basketball Legend Lawrence Morten Dies at 53
Lawrence Morten, a legendary figure in Syracuse basketball, has passed away at the age of 53. His daughter, Laurentia, shared the news on Tuesday, stating he was found at a residence in Washington, D.C.
John Wildehack, the athletic director at Syracuse, expressed his condolences, saying, “Lawrence Morten was an icon of Syracuse. His legacy as the school’s greatest scorer and a holder of a Big East scoring record for 25 years speaks volumes. His theatrical playing style brought an excitement to the Dome, earning him the nickname ‘Morten’s Poem.’”
After his playing days, Morten remained closely connected to the program, always bringing smiles to those around him. Wildehack added that the community’s thoughts and prayers are with Morten’s family and friends, emphasizing, “He’ll be orange forever.”
Morten played for the Syracuse Orange from 1991 to 1995 and holds the record for the program’s highest career points at 2,334. Over his college career, he averaged 19.3 points per game, a significant contribution that helped guide the team through challenging times, including an NCAA investigation.
As a freshman, he averaged 18.2 points and played a key role in taking Syracuse to the 1992 NCAA Tournament. Unfortunately, the following year, the team faced a one-year tournament ban due to the NCAA investigation, but Morten helped lead the team back to the tournament in 1994 and 1995, achieving national recognition in his final season.
His flair on the court, often described as smooth and effortless, captured the hearts of Orange fans, leading to the enduring nickname “Morten’s Poem.” Morten was drafted in the second round of the 1995 NBA Draft by the Vancouver Grizzlies and played two seasons before moving to the Washington Wizards in 1998. He also competed in various leagues, including the Continental Basketball Association and the American Basketball Association, and had stints overseas in Spain and Venezuela. After retiring, Morten returned to Syracuse, focusing on youth programs within the school district.
Later, he continued to nurture basketball talent in Washington, D.C., serving as the general manager for the boys and girls teams at the Digital Pioneer Academy.
