The man who owns every major scoring record in Syracuse basketball history is no more. Lawrence Moten passed away on Tuesday in Washington, D.C., at 53 years old.
His 2,334 career points will live forever in the Carrier Dome rafters.
What Happened to Lawrence Moten?
In an X post by Syracuse Athletics, the program confirmed Moten’s death on September 30, 2025. No cause of death has been released. The Washington, D.C. native passed away in his hometown, leaving behind his wife, Noelene, and two daughters.
Syracuse legend Lawrence Moten dies at 53 https://t.co/bcZC3Gu6Hj pic.twitter.com/fnpNzQe2QA
— Syracuse Basketball (@syrbasketball) September 30, 2025
Moten carved out an unforgettable legacy at Syracuse from 1991 to 1995. He started all 121 games under Jim Boeheim and averaged 19.3 points per game. His 2,334 career points still stand as the program record, and his 1,405 Big East points remain the conference’s all-time high.
The Orange retired his No. 21 jersey in 2018. He earned first-team All-Big East honors three straight seasons and captured Big East Rookie of the Year in 1992. He’s the only Syracuse player to score over 500 points in four consecutive seasons.
After college, the Vancouver Grizzlies drafted him 36th overall in 1995. Moten played three NBA seasons with Vancouver and Washington, averaging 6.3 points across 119 games. He later coached internationally and in minor leagues, winning a 2014 PBL championship with the Rochester Razorsharks.
Most recently, Moten served as general manager at Digital Pioneers Academy in Washington, D.C., building a college-style athletic program. He also mentored Syracuse middle schoolers through Promise Zone and coached at Gallaudet University, a college for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
How Are Fans Reacting to Lawrence Moten’s Death?
A longtime Syracuse fan expressed his grief over the loss. He remembered Moten as someone who represented the program with pride from his very first game, “@syrbasketball Noooooooo!!!! R.I.P. one of my fav college players of all time. Great Orangeman from Day 1.”
Noooooooo!!!! R.I.P. one of my fav college players of all time. Great Orangeman from Day 1.
— Chris (@ClydeMarino2213) September 30, 2025
Another fan recalled trying to copy Moten’s smooth style as a kid, “@syrbasketball RIP. We all used to try to play like poetry when we were kids.”
RIP. We all used to try to play like poetry when we were kids.
— FantasticFishin (@kobyny22) September 30, 2025
A user called him unforgettable for Big East and Syracuse fans, “@syrbasketball Man, awful news. A very memorable Big East and Orangemen. RIP”
Man, awful news. A very memorable Big East and Orangemen. RIP
— 2020 (@ThatsTwenty20) September 30, 2025
A fan kept it simple with two powerful words, “@syrbasketball Damn. RIP, legend.”
Damn. RIP, legend.
— What’s a name, anyways? (@JuvenileBluster) September 30, 2025
Another fan said, “damn thats one of my favorite players ever.”
damn thats one of my favorite players ever
— Barnone (@MookieMVP) September 30, 2025
Moten’s death leaves Syracuse basketball mourning not just a record-holder, but a man who gave back to two cities through coaching and mentorship. His scoring records will stand for years, but his work with young people in Washington and Syracuse defined his life after basketball.
