Kenneth Lofton Jr.

Last updated

Kenneth Lofton Jr.
No. 34–Utah Jazz
Position Power forward / center
League NBA
Personal information
Born (2002-08-14) August 14, 2002 (age 21)
Port Arthur, Texas, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight275 lb (125 kg)
Career information
High school Memorial
(Port Arthur, Texas)
College Louisiana Tech (2020–2022)
NBA draft 2022: undrafted
Playing career2022–present
Career history
2022–2023 Memphis Grizzlies
2022–2023 →Memphis Hustle
2023–2024 Philadelphia 76ers
2023–2024 →Delaware Blue Coats
2024—present Utah Jazz
2024 →Salt Lake City Stars
Career highlights and awards
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at NBA.com
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at Basketball-Reference.com
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing the Flag of the United States.svg  United States
FIBA Under-19 World Cup
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2021 Latvia Team

Kenneth Wayne Lofton Jr. (born August 14, 2002) is an American professional basketball player for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. He is a two-time all-conference selection in Conference USA, including first-team honors as a sophomore in 2022.

Contents

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]

As a sophomore, Lofton was named to the First Team All-Conference USA. [9] He averaged 16.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. On March 22, 2022, Lofton declared for the 2022 NBA draft. He did not sign with an agent, allowing him the flexibility to return to Louisiana Tech. [10]

Professional career

Memphis Grizzlies / Hustle (2022–2023)

After going undrafted in the 2022 NBA draft, Lofton signed a two-way contract with the Memphis Grizzlies on July 2, 2022. [11] He made his NBA debut on October 22, 2022, scoring four points in a 137–96 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. [12] Lofton was named to the G League's inaugural Next Up Game, the league's version of the NBA All-Star Game, for the 2022–23 season. [13] On March 31, 2023, Lofton was awarded the NBA G League Rookie of the Year Award. [14] On April 8, 2023, the Grizzlies converted Lofton's deal into a standard, multi-year NBA contract. [15]

On April 9, 2023, Lofton scored a career-high 42 points and put up a career-high 14 rebounds in a 115–100 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in his first game as a starter. He also became the first player in NBA history to put up at least 40 points and 10 rebounds in a player's first career start, since starts were officially tracked since the 1970–71 season. [16] On December 18, 2023, Lofton was waived by the Grizzlies. [17]

Philadelphia 76ers / Delaware Blue Coats (2023–2024)

On December 23, 2023, Lofton signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers and their G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats. [18] On March 1, 2024, Lofton was waived. [19]

Utah Jazz (2024–present)

On March 11, 2024, Lofton signed with the Utah Jazz. [20]

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. [21] Lofton led the US in a come-from-behind victory against France in the final, with 15 of his team-high 16 points coming in the second half to secure an 83–81 win in the gold medal game. [22] [23] [24]

Career statistics

Legend
  GPGames 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

NBA

Regular season

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2022–23 Memphis 2417.3.527.353.5932.1.8.2.15.0
2023–24 Memphis 1506.6.378.300.5331.0.9.2.22.6
Philadelphia 204.4.167.000—1.5.0.0.01.0
Utah 4022.8.600.333.8185.04.8.8.513.8
Career4518.3.497.317.6232.01.2.2.24.8

Playoffs

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2023 Memphis 403.0.375.000.500.8.3.0.01.8
Career403.0.375.000.500.8.3.0.01.8

College

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2020–21 Louisiana Tech 322822.8.567–.5967.51.51.0.712.2
2021–22 Louisiana Tech 333327.0.539.200.67210.52.81.2.716.5
Career656124.9.550.200.6379.02.11.1.714.3

Personal life

Rumors of his father being former professional baseball player Kenny Lofton are false. Kenneth Sr. served in the military and worked for the US postal service for 18 years. 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. [25]

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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. ↑ "C-USA Postseason Awards Announced" (Press release). Conference USA. March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  10. ↑ Sands, Ethan (March 22, 2022). "Louisiana Tech sophomore Kenneth Lofton Jr. declares for 2022 NBA Draft". The News-Star. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Memphis Grizzlies sign Vince Williams Jr. and Kenneth Lofton Jr. to two-way contracts". NBA.com. July 2, 2022. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
  12. ↑ Dixon, Schuyler (October 23, 2022). "DONCIC, MAVS HAVE FAST START, RIP GRIZ 137-96 IN HOME OPENER". NBA.com. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Wolves' Garza And Ignite's Henderson Named Captains For NBA G League Next Up Game". NBA.com. February 7, 2023. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  14. ↑ Adams, Luke (March 31, 2023). "Grizzlies' Lofton Named G League Rookie Of The Year". HoopsRumors.com. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  15. ↑ Grizzlies PR [@GrizzliesPR] (April 8, 2023). "The @memgrizz today announced the team signed Kenneth Lofton Jr. to a multi-year contract. In related moves, the Grizzlies signed Jacob Gilyard to a two-way contract and waived Kennedy Chandler" (Tweet). Retrieved April 8, 2023– via Twitter.
  16. ↑ Bologna, Ryan (April 9, 2023). "Move over LeBron James, Michael Jordan. Grizzlies' Kenny Lofton Jr.'s start has never been done in NBA history". ClutchPoints.com. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Memphis Grizzlies waive Kenneth Lofton Jr". NBA.com. December 18, 2023. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Kenneth Lofton Jr. Signed by 76ers to Two-Way Contract". NBA.com. December 23, 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  19. ↑ Maher, Rory (March 1, 2024). "Sixers Waive Kenneth Lofton Jr". HoopsRumors.com. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  20. ↑ Hundman, Gabby (March 11, 2024). "Utah Jazz Sign Kenneth Lofton Jr". NBA.com. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  21. ↑ McGuire, Kane (July 11, 2021). "A Golden Performance for Lofton, Jr. and Team USA". LA Tech Athletics. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  22. ↑ 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.
  23. ↑ "FIBA 2019 Basketball World Cup". FIBA.basketball. July 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  24. ↑ Batson, Monique (March 2021). "Port Arthur Proud important for basketball star Kenneth Lofton Jr. & his family". panews.com. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  25. ↑ 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.
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