Lawrence Moten was one of the sport's most underrated players ever, Jim Boeheim says

Lawrence Moten, who sadly passed away on Tuesday at the age of 53, is Syracuse basketball's all-time career leading scorer. Yet when I reflect, from time to time, on the top players to ever put on a 'Cuse uniform in the program's storied history, I find myself sometimes unintentionally looking past Moten as I list off guys like Melo, Pearl, Bing, Coleman, Douglas, Owens, GMac and others.

Why is that? As the Orange's Hall of Fame former head coach, Jim Boeheim, said via SU Athletics, Moten "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 EAST Conference."

Let me repeat: Moten, the ultra-talented, ultra-smooth shooting guard, is the Orange's all-time leading scorer, and up until 2020, he was also the career leading scorer in the Big East. During his tenure on the Hill, the Washington, D.C., native (also my hometown) went to three NCAA Tournaments, was an All-American and made the All-Big East first team three times. Three.

Boeheim added: "This is a tragic day for the Syracuse basketball family. Lawrence's passing is such a sudden thing - it's very hard to take."

Indeed, Coach.

Tributes have poured in for Syracuse basketball legend Lawrence Moten, who passed away on Tuesday.

As talented as "Poetry" was on the court, he was even more wonderful off the court. Many in the larger Syracuse Orange family have characterized him as a kind, nice, family-oriented human being. Great basketball player. Even better person.

Syracuse Orange athletics director John Wildhack called Moten a 'Cuse "icon. 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."

The Orange's current head coach, Adrian Autry, played alongside Moten for three seasons in the 1990s. "Lawrence was a positive light in this world. He was one of a kind. I'm going to miss him," Autry said.

He added of Moten, "I can't think of anybody that was more positive or who loved Syracuse more than he did."

I'm so heartbroken over Lawrence's passing, even more so because we're both from the DMV. He's one of the best to ever play for Syracuse basketball, in the Big East or in college hoops in general. Next time I rattle off the top Orange players of all-time, he'll reside way high up. Exactly where Moten belongs.