Boos from Dayton fans motivate Colorado star, a former UD recruit

The reception Wright received made the 78-76 overtime victory against No. 13 Dayton even sweeter for him.

“It was a really dope feeling,” Wright said. “I expected the boos. I told my teammates before we came to Chicago that it was going to happen. I was getting messages on Instagram about how much they hated me or whatever because I left. I kind of knew it was coming. I talked to my teammates this morning, told them I needed this one personally. They responded for me. That was a big-time game. I have a lot of family from Chicago. My dad is from here. the Bulls are his favorite team. He wanted me to put on a show. So I just had to go out and play my game.”

Wright committed to Dayton in September 2016 and signed with Dayton that November. Dayton released him from his letter of intent the following spring after Archie Miller left UD for Indiana. Wright then picked Colorado and has turned into one of the top players in the Pac-12. Now a junior, he reached the 1,000-point milestone earlier this season.

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Wright scored 29 points on 10-of-22 shooting and also grabbed 10 rebounds against Dayton. He made 8 of 10 free throws. He did everything well except shoot the 3-pointer. He was 1 of 8 from 3-point range.

Colorado did not shoot the 3-pointer well as a team, making 7 of 25, but won the game on a 3-pointer at the buzzer by D’Shawn Schwartz.

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There were no more boos from the Dayton fans at that point — just dejected looks and many jeers directed toward the officials as they left the court.

“I've been booed before in high school,” Wright said. “Obviously it wasn't the same as this. That was way louder, way crazier. I told them to keep booing. I wanted them to keep booing. It gave me a little extra juice. I fed off that. I needed that.”