NCAA Basketball: 10 teams that should target transfer Kenneth Lofton Jr.
Coming into the 2021-22 NCAA Basketball season, there were a number of “breakout” candidates to watch. Several played on the U19 Team USA squad last Summer, including Jaden Ivey, Mike Miles, and Johnny Davis. But arguably the best player on that loaded roster was Kenneth Lofton Jr., who played for Louisiana Tech and averaged 12.2 ppg and 7.5 rpg as a freshman.
The big man was highly impressive among his peers, including scoring a team-high 16 points in Team USA’s win over France in the gold medal game. At 6’7 and around 275 pounds, Lofton has a unique size and frame as a center and has incredible footwork and offensive skillset.
He displayed it this past season for the Bulldogs, averaging 16.5 ppg, 10.5 rpg, and 2.8 apg on 54% shooting from the field. Lofton scored at least seven points each game and had a career-high 36 points and 17 rebounds in a road loss at NC State. Despite being jut 6’7, Lofton is a force on the boards, grabbing 10+ rebounds on 19 different occasions.
Huge news: Louisiana Tech big man Kenneth Lofton, Jr. has gone portaling, the portal told @Stadium.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) April 8, 2022
Averaged 16.5 points and 10.5 boards this past season.
Lofton led Louisiana Tech to back-to-back 24-win seasons and nearly made the NCAA Tournament both times but couldn’t win the Conference USA Tournament. And now, it looks like he’ll be going to a new program for next season.
Although there is some concern that a 6’7 center could struggle at the high major level, Lofton has proved in the non-conference and with Team USA that he can bang down low with any level of height and size. He’s going to be highly sought-after but which programs make the most sense for him? Here are 10 that comes to mind.