• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
NBA star who was drafted ahead of Kobe Bryant in 1996 was murdered after terrifying 911 call

Home> NBA

Published 13:06 26 Feb 2025 GMT

NBA star who was drafted ahead of Kobe Bryant in 1996 was murdered after terrifying 911 call

It was 12 years before the case of the NBA star's murder was finally solved

Ryan Baldi

Ryan Baldi

The 1996 NBA draft is remembered for providing one of the most talent-packed rookie classes in league's history.

Iconic guard Allen Iverson was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the first overall pick, and fellow future NBA MVPs Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash were picked later in the draft.

In addition to those basketball megastars, there were multiple-time future All-Stars such as Ray Allen, Stephon Marbury, Antoine Walker and Zydrunas Ilgauskas in the 1996 draft too.

Advert

Lorenzen Wright never made an All-Star team but, taken by the Los Angeles Clippers with the seventh overall pick – six spots ahead of Bryant – the 6ft 11ins centre enjoyed a solid NBA career.

Lorenzen Wright on the Memphis Grizzlies (Getty)
Lorenzen Wright on the Memphis Grizzlies (Getty)

He spent three years with the Clippers before spells with his hometown Memphis Grizzlies, the Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings at Cleveland Cavaliers – where he played alongside LeBron James.

Wright retired in 2009 with 793 games under his belt from a 13-year NBA career, boasting averages of eight points and 6.4 rebounds per game.

Advert

Just a year after retiring, Wright as killed in tragic and mysterious circumstances.

Last seen leaving the house of his ex-wife, Sherra Wright-Robinson, in Collierville, Tennessee, he went missing for 10 days before his body was found in some nearby woodland area.

Wright had been shot to death. And it later emerged that he had made a 911 call from his mobile phone during which the dispatcher heard the sound of 11 gunshots on the other side of the line.

The case was investigated as homicide but – despite the offer of a $21,000 reward for information – it remained unsolved for several years.

Advert

Eventually, in 2019, the former basketball star's ex-wife, Wright-Robinson, pleaded guilty to facilitation of first-degree murder in the shooting death of Lorenzen Wright and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Three years later, a jury found Wright-Robinson's accomplice, Billy Ray Turner, guilty of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and conspiracy.

“Thank you, Jesus! He can suffer like I’ve been suffering all this time, without my son,” Wright's mother, Deborah Marion, told a local TV news station. “It’s a celebration for me.”

Featured Image Credit: Getty Images

Topics: NBA, Basketball, Kobe Bryant

Ryan Baldi
Ryan Baldi

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

7 hours ago
a day ago
2 days ago
  • 7 hours ago

    Michael Jordan had zero doubts when naming the best atmosphere during legendary career that 'always made him nervous'

    The Chicago Bulls legend has played in some raucous atmospheres in his time, but one stood out.

    NBA
  • a day ago

    LeBron James' iconic teammate makes Bronny James feelings clear as future looks certain

    Bronny shone in LA Lakers’ defeat to the LA Clippers in the week with the younger James looking to make his mark

    NBA
  • 2 days ago

    LeBron James' five-word response to Bronny James shot during LA Lakers match is telling amid trade rumours

    LeBron James is one of the GOATs of NBA.

    NBA
  • 2 days ago

    Shaq's feud with Robert Griffin III explained as he threatens to punch NFL quarterback

    NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal continued his feud with Robert Griffin III with an x-rated threat.

    NBA
  • Kobe Bryant had the coldest response when asked if he was putting himself in list of top five NBA players ever
  • Michael Jordan once 'insulted' Kobe Bryant with five-word comment after NBA All-Star game
  • Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant agreed on toughest NBA opponent who could beat them 1-on-1 with no questions asked
  • Kobe Bryant had feud with NBA star after he made 'inappropriate' comment to LA Lakers legend's wife Vanessa