MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Former NBA big man 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 Wright, 34, was probably carrying a large amount of cash when he disappeared July 18. A court affidavit also said Wright had sold two vehicles to a man affiliated with a Memphis drug ring suspected in six deaths.
Police said a 911 call was placed from Wright’s cellphone early July 19 and investigators determined it came from the area his body was found. The Commercial Appeal newspaper said a dispatcher in the suburb of Germantown heard a garbled male voice say an expletive and then at least 10 gunshots. The call went dead and no one answered when the dispatcher called back.
The 6-foot-11 Wright played 13 seasons in the NBA and averaged 8 points and 6.4 rebounds.
• Guard Eddie House agreed to terms on a $2.8 million, two-year contract with the Miami Heat.
Compton shares Greenbrier lead
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — Double-heart transplant recipient Erik Compton reached 11-of-14 fairways and 15-of-18 greens in regulation en route to a 7-under-par 63 and share of the first-round lead with rookie Matt Every in the Greenbrier Classic.
George McNeill, Pat Perez and Jeff Overton opened with 64s.
• Taking advantage of cool morning conditions, Bruce Vaughan opened the U.S. Senior Open with a 4-under 66 to take a two-stroke lead over Loren Roberts and Tim Jackson in Sammamish, Wash.
• Yani Tseng shot a 4-under 68 in the opening round of the Women’s British Open in Southport, England, and is tied for the lead with Katherine Hull as she pursues her third major title.
• David Howell shot a 7-under 64 to take a one-stroke lead over Richard Green and Damien McGrane after the first round of the Irish Open in Killarney, Ireland.
Footnotes.
The NCAA added to self-imposed sanctions by Arizona’s men’s basketball program, vacating 19 wins from the 2007-08 season and removing an additional scholarship for violations involving Hall of Fame coach Lute Olson.
• Los Angeles Kings defenseman Matt Greene will be out for about three months after having surgery on his left shoulder.
• Former Colorado State standout Becky Hammon scored all of her 16 points in the second half as the visiting San Antonio Silver Stars beat the Washington Mystics 79-75 in WNBA play.
• The Seattle Sounders FC signed midfielder Alvaro Fernandez fresh off his appearance for Uruguay in the World Cup.
• NASCAR 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 in Wisconsin.
• Despite drawing the No. 1 post position, Preakness winner Lookin At Lucky is the 5-2 morning-line favorite over Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver and rising star Trappe Shot in Sunday’s $1 million Haskell Invitational in Oceanport, N.J.
The Associated Press
