Joe Wright came to SFCC in 1982 as an all-state basketball player from Carthage High School. He was third leading high school scorer in Missouri his senior year, averaging more than 30 points per game.
He continued to distinguish himself at SFCC. His freshman season he led the Roadrunners in scoring, averaging 18.2 points per game. As a sophomore he averaged 21.5 points per game, was named to the All-Region 16 team and earned second team NJCAA All-American status.
Wright went on to play for the Kansas State University Wildcats from 1984-1986. His junior year he set a Big Eight record by making all 11 of his field goal attempts in a game against Oklahoma State. His senior year he averaged 18 points per game. After graduating from KSU, Wright played professional basketball for several years.