Wright was selected by the Utah Jazz in the 1st round (18th overall) of the 1993 NBA draft. Listed at 7'2" and 270 pounds in college, Wright arrived in Utah overweight and out-of-shape at 325 pounds.[3] The Jazz were not short on size at that time, with Mark Eaton (7'4" and 290 pounds), Isaac Austin (6'10" and 290 pounds), and Felton Spencer (7'0" and 275 pounds) on the roster at center. Wright was seen as a project who the Jazz planned to develop slowly. However, poor play on the court, in addition to poor conditioning and mental health issues, limited Wright to only one season in the NBA. He averaged 1.3 points and 0.7 rebounds in 15 games.
Personal problemsedit
In January 1994, police found Wright at a highway rest area west of Salt Lake City, banging garbage cans and smashing in car windows.[4]
After the season with the Jazz finished, he entered a mental institution. Still during his NBA stint, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and left the team. In 1996, he was released from Essex County Hospital Center, a psychiatric hospital, after a 30-day admission. Under the terms of his contract with the Jazz, Wright was to be paid US$153,000 per year for 25 full years.[5]
Referencesedit
^Futterman, Matthew for The Star-Ledger. "At rock bottom, Luther Wright finds salvation; Ex-Jazzman finds new life after years of excess", Deseret News, June 5, 2007. Accessed August 28, 2017. "His height and success brought him to St. Anthony High School, the basketball powerhouse in Jersey City coached by Bob Hurley. He lasted a year before flunking out.... Using a cousin's address, Wright's family enrolled him at Elizabeth High School, another powerhouse, where he led his team to victory in the state's Tournament of Champions."
^"Basketball Reference: Luther Wright". Retrieved 18 July 2020.
^"Deseret News: Big Woo Not Wowed by his Debut With Jazz". 5 November 1993. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
^via Associated Press. "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Wright Leaves Psychiatric Hospital", The New York Times, April 4, 1996. Accessed August 28, 2017.
External linksedit
Stats at Basketball-Reference
December 18, 2023
luther, wright, country, musician, wrongs, luther, wright, born, september, 1971, american, former, professional, basketball, player, center, position, personal, informationborn, 1971, september, 1971, jersey, city, jersey, listed, height7, listed, weight270, . For the country musician see Luther Wright and the Wrongs Luther A Wright Jr born September 22 1971 is an American former professional basketball player in the center position Luther WrightPersonal informationBorn 1971 09 22 September 22 1971 age 52 Jersey City New Jersey U S Listed height7 ft 2 in 2 18 m Listed weight270 lb 122 kg Career informationHigh schoolElizabeth Elizabeth New Jersey CollegeSeton Hall 1990 1993 NBA draft1993 1st round 18th overall pickSelected by the Utah JazzPlaying career1993 1994PositionCenterNumber44Career history1993 1994Utah JazzCareer highlights and awardsMcDonald s High School All American 1990 Second team Parade All American 1990 Stats at NBA comStats at Basketball Reference comMedals Men s basketballRepresenting United StatesFIBA Americas U18 Championship1990 Montevideo National teamSummer Universiade1991 Sheffield National team Contents 1 Basketball career 1 1 Professional 2 Personal problems 3 References 4 External linksBasketball career editA native of Jersey City New Jersey Wright played high school ball for one season under coach Bob Hurley at powerhouse at St Anthony High School before failing out and enrolling at Elizabeth High School in Elizabeth New Jersey 1 He played two seasons of college basketball at Seton Hall University averaging 9 0 points 7 5 rebounds and 2 2 blocked shots per game as a sophomore before leaving school in 1993 to pursue professional basketball 2 Professional edit Wright was selected by the Utah Jazz in the 1st round 18th overall of the 1993 NBA draft Listed at 7 2 and 270 pounds in college Wright arrived in Utah overweight and out of shape at 325 pounds 3 The Jazz were not short on size at that time with Mark Eaton 7 4 and 290 pounds Isaac Austin 6 10 and 290 pounds and Felton Spencer 7 0 and 275 pounds on the roster at center Wright was seen as a project who the Jazz planned to develop slowly However poor play on the court in addition to poor conditioning and mental health issues limited Wright to only one season in the NBA He averaged 1 3 points and 0 7 rebounds in 15 games Personal problems editIn January 1994 police found Wright at a highway rest area west of Salt Lake City banging garbage cans and smashing in car windows 4 After the season with the Jazz finished he entered a mental institution Still during his NBA stint he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and left the team In 1996 he was released from Essex County Hospital Center a psychiatric hospital after a 30 day admission Under the terms of his contract with the Jazz Wright was to be paid US 153 000 per year for 25 full years 5 References edit Futterman Matthew for The Star Ledger At rock bottom Luther Wright finds salvation Ex Jazzman finds new life after years of excess Deseret News June 5 2007 Accessed August 28 2017 His height and success brought him to St Anthony High School the basketball powerhouse in Jersey City coached by Bob Hurley He lasted a year before flunking out Using a cousin s address Wright s family enrolled him at Elizabeth High School another powerhouse where he led his team to victory in the state s Tournament of Champions Basketball Reference Luther Wright Retrieved 18 July 2020 Deseret News Big Woo Not Wowed by his Debut With Jazz 5 November 1993 Retrieved 18 July 2020 At rock bottom Luther Wright finds salvation via Associated Press SPORTS PEOPLE BASKETBALL Wright Leaves Psychiatric Hospital The New York Times April 4 1996 Accessed August 28 2017 External links editStats at Basketball Reference Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Luther Wright amp oldid 1185787771, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
