While Daniel Orton’s father remains private, his mother openly supported his basketball career despite battling illness.
Daniel Joseph Orton is a former University of Kentucky basketball player who played on the Wildcats’ 2009-2010 team.
He was selected in the first round of the 2010 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic but had a brief professional career.
Recently, Orton has been in the news for allegedly violating an emergency protective order (EPO) in Lexington, Kentucky.
Reports indicate that he was accused of getting closer than 500 feet to a protected individual at Fayette Mall, which led to legal action. He is scheduled to appear in court on April 21.
Daniel Orton Became Actively Involved In The Lupus Foundation, Following His Mother’s Passing!
Daniel Orton was born to Carolyn and Larry Orton in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on August 6, 1990.
Sadly, his mother, Carolyn Orton, passed away at the age of 52. She was diagnosed with Lupus in 1999 when he was just 9 years old.
The first signs of Carolyn Orton’s battle with lupus appeared in a heartbreaking way. One day, she struggled to recognize Daniel’s father.
Moments later, even her oldest son, Terrence Crawford, Daniel’s half-brother and a former McGuinness basketball standout who went on to play at Oklahoma State, had become unfamiliar to her.
Realizing the severity of the situation, the family decided to bring in Daniel.
They hoped that if Carolyn couldn’t recognize her youngest son, it would be undeniable proof that she needed urgent medical attention.
As he grew older, Daniel spent most of his time watching his mother get checked in and out of the hospital.
Tragically, on February 10, 2009, she passed away, leaving her children and husband mourning.
Additionally, Orton became an advocate for lupus awareness. He served as an ambassador for the Oklahoma Walk & 5K Run to End Lupus Now.
He has spoken openly about his mother’s battle with lupus and the impact it had on his family.
Once, he reflected on his mother’s words after her passing, saying:
She said if it ever gets to that point, if it ever comes down to me living on life support, then just pull the plug because if God wants to take me then God’s going to take me,That’s one thing I’ll never forget that she said to me.
On the other hand, details about Orton’s father are not widely documented in public sources. However, it is known that his stepfather also passed away from lupus.
Now, regarding his marital life, Daniel seems very private about his personal endeavors. Therefore, details about his relationship or potential wife remain undisclosed.
However, he is known to be the father of a son, Julius, as revealed through a Facebook post by his former coach, John Calipari.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Daniel Orton was a standout player at Bishop McGuinness High School in Oklahoma City.
- He then played college basketball at the University of Kentucky for the 2009–2010 season.
- He was considered a five-star recruit and ranked as the No. 4 center and No. 22 overall player in the nation in 2009.
