Former NBA player Lorenzen Wright, whose body was found in the woods outside Memphis, was shot to death and the case is being investigated as a homicide, police said Thursday.
Police wouldn’t answer questions about motive or suspects. But records indicate that Wright, revered in his hometown as a generous and likable sports hero, was probably carrying a large amount of cash when he disappeared on July 18.
A court affidavit obtained by The Associated Press also said Wright had sold two vehicles to a man affiliated with a Memphis drug ring that’s suspected in six deaths.
Wright, a 34-year-old Memphis native, was last seen around midnight July 18. His family filed a missing person report with police on July 22, but investigators said as recently as Monday that they didn’t suspect foul play.
Police said a 911 call was placed from Wright’s cell phone early on July 19. Investigators determined the call came from the area where the body was found and on Wednesday searched the woods and found Wright.
The 6-foot-11 Wright played 13 years in the NBA for the Los Angeles Clippers, Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings and most recently the Cleveland Cavaliers.
He averaged 8 points and 6.4 rebounds in 778 career games.
Castroneves, IRL officials to meet
IndyCar series officials plan to meet with driver Helio Castroneves next week to discuss his conduct after last week’s race at Edmonton. Castroneves was black-flagged for blocking Penske Racing teammate Will Power on the final restart. Castroneves lost his temper afterward, touching one series official on the chest and grabbing another by the collar. Any penalties will be announced after the meeting.
NASCAR news
Team owner Jack Roush has been transferred to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., after surgery on facial injuries he suffered in a plane crash Tuesday in Oshkosh, Wis. Roush Fenway Racing said in a statement that Roush was taken to the Mayo Clinic on Wednesday and is in serious but stable condition. … NASCAR President Mike Helton says that while the league encourages emotion from its drivers, it doesn’t want anyone sending the message that the sport isn’t worth watching. Helton’s comments came after a report by The Associated Press said that NASCAR fined at least two of its top drivers this season for making critical comments about the circuit.
Arizona to vacate 19 wins from ’07-08
The NCAA added to self-imposed sanctions by Arizona’s men’s program, vacating 19 victories from the 2007-08 season and removing an additional scholarship for violations involving Hall of Fame coach Lute Olson.
Pac-10 media favor Oregon
A year after breaking Southern California’s seven-year stranglehold on the Pac-10, defending champ Oregon was picked to win it again in the preseason media poll. The Ducks edged USC by three points in the second-closest vote since the poll began in 1961.
Area players lose at state tourney
McCormick Clouser of Bluffton lost 1-up to Louis Gleixner of Greenwood in the second round of match play at the IGA Boys State Junior Championship at Purdue. Also reaching that round were E.J. Tackett of Huntington, Tyler Ostrom of Warsaw and Eric Tandy of Winona Lake, but all of them lost.
Blackhawks could lose playoff hero
Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman expects to learn Saturday whether his salary cap-squeezed team will be able to keep restricted free agent goaltender Antti Niemi, who backstopped Chicago to its first Stanley Cup in 49 years last spring.
U.S. to set roster for Brazil match
U.S. coach Bob Bradley plans to announce his roster early next week for an Aug. 10 exhibition against Brazil at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
