David Vaughn Remembers Sweet 16 Season With Lorenzen Wright

ORLANDO -- When he first heard the news Wednesday that the body of former teammate Lorenzen Wright had been found, David Vaughn had to stop for a moment to catch his breath. He said a prayer.

The two hadn't talked in years, but the bond they formed during that season 15 years ago with the Memphis Tigers – the only year they played together – was a strong one.

Wright (photo right) was the center on that 1994-95 team. Vaughn was the power forward, and together they powered the Tigers into the NCAA Tournament, where they reached the Sweet 16.

Vaughn left for the NBA after the season – drafted by the Orlando Magic. Wright joined the NBA the following year with the Los Angeles Clippers. Different teams, different lives, but always tied by that Tigers team.

"We went in different directions, started having children, grew apart, but I always remembered how much we enjoyed being around each other at Memphis,'' said Vaughn, now working in Orlando for the Department of Children and Family services. "This thing is heart wrenching, so sad. You can't even put it into words now.''

Wright's body was found Wednesday in a wooded area of southeast Memphis, and police are treating the investigation like a homicide.





"I was just thinking, he's one year out of the NBA, and now he's dead. It's incredibly sad. I know he was going through some problems and all, but still,'' Vaughn said. "I really feel for his family. It makes me think of how lucky I really am. It's why I thank the Lord every day that I'm alive.''
"I was just thinking, he's one year out of the NBA, and now he's dead. It's incredibly sad."
- David Vaughn
While Wright went on to a successful, 13-year NBA career, including five years back in his hometown of Memphis, Vaughn washed out of the NBA quickly after parts of four seasons.

His departure started a 10-year, downward spiral that almost killed him, losing his money, his family and his friends, leaving him on the streets Orlando, where he once played professionally.

Fortunately, though, with the help of a wife who stuck beside him, Vaughn made a turnaround. He has regained his family and his faith, and he is working again.

"I could have had a sad ending, too,'' Vaughn said. "I'm doing well now, but I think back to my time in Memphis. Lorenzen was always there to hold me up, to help me. He was a very compassionate guy, always there if you needed anything. I wish I could have been there for him.''

Although they never were roommates, they practiced at Memphis daily. And after that one season, when Vaughn had decided to leave for the NBA, it was Wright who used to push him during workouts, wanting to get him ready for the next level of basketball.

"We'd always be playing one-on-one, helping each other. And I needed that,'' Vauhn said. "He was a better post player than I was, but we did different things that season. Even when you grow apart from someone, you don't forget the good times.''