Kenneth Lofton Jr.

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Kenneth Lofton Jr.
No. 2 – Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
PositionPower forward
LeagueConference USA
Personal information
Born (2002-08-14) August 14, 2002 (age 19)
Port Arthur, Texas
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight275 lb (125 kg)
Career information
High schoolMemorial
(Port Arthur, Texas)
CollegeLouisiana Tech (2020–present)
Career highlights and awards
  • Third-team All-Conference USA (2021)
  • Conference USA Freshman of the Year (2021)
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing the  United States
FIBA Under-19 World Cup
Gold medal – first place 2021 Latvia Team

Kenneth Wayne Lofton Jr. (born August 14, 2002) is an American college basketball player for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs of Conference USA (C-USA).

High school career[]

Lofton played basketball for Memorial High School in Port Arthur, Texas. He was initially a guard and became a post player following a growth spurt. He won a 5A state title in his sophomore season.[1] As a senior, he averaged 17 points, 10 rebounds and three assists per game, leading his team to a share of the 21–5A district title.[2] Lofton earned 5A All-State honors and was a McDonald's All-American nominee.[3] He signed a National Letter of Intent to play college basketball for Louisiana Tech.[4]

College career[]

On March 28, 2021, Lofton recorded a freshman season-high 27 points and 13 rebounds, making a game-winning shot with 0.3 seconds left, in a 76–74 win over Colorado State at the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) third place game. He was an All-Tournament Team selection.[5] As a freshman, Lofton averaged 12.2 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, earning Third Team All-Conference USA and Freshman of the Year honors.[6][7] He was named Conference USA Freshman of the Week nine times, tied for the third-most in league history. Lofton was the first Louisiana Tech freshman to lead the team in rebounding since Paul Millsap in 2003–04.[8]

National team career[]

Lofton represented the United States at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 World Cup in Latvia. He averaged 13.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, helping his team win the gold medal.[9] Lofton scored 16 points, including 15 in the second half, in an 83–81 win against France in the final.[10]

Career statistics[]

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

College[]

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2020–21 Louisiana Tech 32 28 22.8 .567 – .596 7.5 1.5 1.0 .7 12.2

Personal life[]

Lofton's father, also named Kenneth, served in the United States Army, worked in the United States Postal Service for 18 years and was elected to the Port Arthur Independent School District board of trustees. His older sister, Kennedi, played college basketball for Southern. His grandfather, Gene "Rock" Duhon, was a track and field athlete at Southern University, where he was named to the Track Hall of Fame, and competed at United States Olympic Trials.[11]

References[]

  1. ^ Moore, Chris (January 16, 2021). ""Just a freshman from Port Arthur" — Kenneth Lofton Jr. creating impact in college". The Port Arthur News. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  2. ^ McGuire, Kane (March 27, 2020). "Louisiana Tech basketball signees shine on the court". Crescent City Sports. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  3. ^ "2020 Super Gold boys basketball". The Beaumont Enterprise. May 16, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  4. ^ Robichaux, Brad (November 18, 2019). "Family, coaches rejoice in Kenneth Lofton Jr.'s signing to LaTech". The Port Arthur News. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  5. ^ McGuire, Kane (March 28, 2021). "Bulldogs Beat Rams on Lofton, Jr.'s Game-Winner". LA Tech Athletics. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  6. ^ Faye, Matt (May 5, 2021). "SE Texas grad invited to USA Basketball training camp". The Beaumont Enterprise. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  7. ^ Hall, Erik (March 27, 2021). "Memphis' Penny Hardaway calls LA Tech's Kenneth Lofton Jr. a 'monster,' 'matchup problem'". The News-Star. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  8. ^ McGuire, Kane (March 9, 2021). "LA Tech's Kenneth Lofton Jr. named C-USA Freshman of the Year". Crescent City Sports. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  9. ^ McGuire, Kane (July 11, 2021). "A Golden Performance for Lofton, Jr. and Team USA". LA Tech Athletics. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  10. ^ DeCourcy, Mike (July 11, 2021). "Kenneth Lofton Jr. may not have won MVP, but he played like one for USA". Sporting News. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  11. ^ Hall, Erik (March 27, 2021). "Kenneth Lofton Jr.: 3 things to know about the Louisiana Tech basketball forward". The News-Star. Retrieved June 9, 2021.

External links[]

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