As a successful athlete in the 1930s Ken Wright earned the nickname "Hooker" because of his famous hook shot, now commonly used in pro basketball. He received three UBC Big Block Awards and was a member of both the New Westminster Adanacs and the UBC Thunderbirds before turning to coaching and administration.

Wright is best known as the founder of the BC High School Boys Basketball Tournament in 1945, now the annual provincial high school championships. He was an active member of the tournament committee for thirty-six years and on the board of governors for many terms.

Wright was also the co-founder, president, and honourary life member of the BC High School Boys Basketball Association (BCHSBBA). He co-authored the written and pictorial history of the BCHSBBA Tournament.

Wright coached the BC women’s relay team to the 1952 Canadian track and field championships. Also in 1952, as coach of the New Westminster Club, he took four track and field athletes to the Canadian age class championships in Toronto. They returned with five gold and three silver medals, plus two Canadian records.

Wright served as chairman of the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games track and field officials.

He was one of the founding members and governors of the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in New Westminster. He also served as president and was named an honourary life member of the New Westminster Tennis Club.