Memphis, TN (World Wide Gamble) - The death of Lorenzen Wright has reportedly been termed a homicide by gunshot wound.

The Commercial Appeal cited a police statement in reporting Wright, a former Memphis basketball star and NBA player, was identified by the Shelby County Medical Examiner through dental records. The paper reported Wednesday that Wright's body was found in a wooded area in southeast Memphis.

The report said the Memphis police department confirmed that a 911 call from Wright's phone was placed early in the morning on July 19. An earlier report said he was last seen around 2 a.m. on that day.

Wright starred at Memphis for two seasons in the mid-1990s before entering the NBA as the seventh overall selection in the 1996 draft. Wright, 34, played for 13 seasons with the Clippers, Hawks, Grizzlies, Kings and Cavaliers.

"We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Lorenzen Wright," the Grizzlies said in a statement. "We lost a member of the Grizzlies family. Lorenzen delighted fans on the court with his passion and off the court with his generosity in a Memphis community that watched him grow throughout his playing career at Booker T. Washington High School, the University of Memphis and the NBA.

"In his five seasons with the Grizzlies, Lorenzen played an integral role in guiding this franchise to three consecutive playoff appearances and was a member of the inaugural Memphis Grizzlies team in 2001.

"On behalf of the entire Memphis Grizzlies organization, we would like to express our sincerest condolences to Lorenzen's family during this difficult time."