Wright (6-7, 200-pounds), an early-entry candidate in the NBA Draft, played four seasons at Leuzinger High School in California before transferring to South Kent Prep (Conn.) for a year of prep school. He was named the top prep school player in the nation by Basketball Times and was named the fourth-best high school player in the country by HoopScoop. He was selected the 19th-best senior in the country by USA Today and was named MVP of the National Prep School Tournament after scoring 32, 35 and 41 points in three games.

As a senior at South Kent, Wright averaged 29.0 points, 14.0 rebounds and 5.0 blocks per game and was named the Ocean League Player of the Year. During his junior season at Leuzinger, he averaged 24.8 points and 12.6 rebounds per game.

Wright also participated in USA Basketball's Youth Development Festival in the summer of 2003 and led his team to the bronze medal by scoring 29 points in the bronze medal game.