Lorenzen Wright was a suprise presence at the Grizzlies practice yesterday, the 6-10 center told his basketball family that he needed "fresh air" a day after his 11-month-old daughter, Sierra, died suddenly.

Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal writes that Wright walked onto the court and embraced players and coaches shortly after their workout concluded. Wright then spent 15 minutes shooting with forward Mike Batiste, but did not talk with media.  He is expected to release  a statement today.

"Basketball is our life," guard Wesley Person said. "Sometimes we go to the gym to shoot ball or lift weights just to put our minds at ease. Basketball can be a way of helping him through these tough times."

"It was emotional for all of the guys to see him," Brown said. "You can't say what's inside his heart. You could just hope that you'd have the right empathy and the right feelings for him."

Team captains, Person, Brevin Knight and Shane Battier also are encouraging the team to establish a scholarship fund that would benefit deserving Memphis students on behalf of Sierra Wright.