Lawrence Moten, one of the greatest players in Syracuse basketball history, died Tuesday, the school announced.

"Poetry in Moten," as he was known, was 53.

According to multiple reports, Moten was found dead at his residence in his hometown of Washington, D.C. No cause of death has been revealed.

Moten played the guard position for the Orange from 1991-95 and holds the program record for career points with 2,334, achieved in 121 games (118 starts).

The 6-foot-5 Moten also held the Big East Conference scoring record (1,405 points) for 25 years until Markus Howard of Marquette surpassed the mark in 2020.

"Lawrence Moten was a Syracuse icon," athletic director John Wildhack said in a university news release. “His accolades as Syracuse's all-time leading scorer and holding the Big East scoring record for 25 years speak for themselves, but his style of play is what energized the Dome and was deserving of his nickname 'Poetry in Moten.'

“He was a fixture around the program long after his playing career, always with a smile on his face. We extend our thoughts and prayers to Lawrence's family and friends. He will be Forever Orange."

He also was remembered by two coaches – the one he played for and a future one he played with. He was a teammate of current Orange coach Adrian Autry for three seasons.

"I can't think of anybody that was more positive or who loved Syracuse more than he did,” Autry said. “Obviously, his basketball – he was one of the greatest to put on the uniform. It's a big loss.”

“Lawrence was a positive light in this world,” Autry continued. “He was one of a kind. I'm going to miss him."

Coach Boeheim Reacts

"This is a tragic day for the Syracuse basketball family," said Jim Boeheim, who coached Moten for all four seasons of his Orange career. "Lawrence's passing is such a sudden thing – it's very hard to take. He was one of the most underrated college basketball players of all time. I believe some people took his ability for granted because he made it look so easy. Lawrence was one of our greatest players and one of the best in the history of the Big Conference."

Moten made an impact beginning as a freshman, named Big East Rookie of the Year after becoming the first Orange first-year player to score 500 points in a season. Basketball Times, Basketball Weekly and United Press International all named him national Freshman of the Year.

Three First-Team All-Big East honors followed.

Syracuse was 85-36 during his four seasons and made three NCAA Tournament appearances. Moten’s jersey was retired by the school on March 3, 2018.

The Vancouver Grizzlies selected Moten in the second round of the 1995 NBA Draft, and he spent two seasons with the team. In his final NBA campaign in 1997-98, he appeared in eight games before continuing his career in other domestic and overseas pro leagues until 2006.

In the NBA, he played in 119 games (21 starts) and averaged 6.3 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists.

Post-retirement, he worked with youths in Syracuse and recently moved back to Washington after accepting a position as general manager for the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams at Digital Pioneers Academy.