Gonzaga Basketball: 4 current potential targets in transfer portal
By Tuck Clarry
Kenneth Lofton Jr.
Sophomore, Forward, Louisiana Tech
16.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists
If Gonzaga does say goodbye to the mustachioed Texan, there be no better high-usage replacement in the market than fellow Texan Lofton. He had the tenth highest usage rate in the country at 34.3% and was still incredibly efficient with an effective field goal percentage of 54.2%.
Lofton was on the FIBA U19 team with Chet Holmgren last offseason and displayed his knack for scoring and rebounding in both that tournament and his lone season in college. The 6-foot-7 power forward has an incredible touch and served as the main offensive initiator in an inside-out game with Louisiana Tech.
The Port Arthur, Texas native feasted at the rim with a 63% field goal rate in the paint. He also owned the glass with a 29% defensive rebound rate (15th in the country) and 13.9% offensive rebound rate (35th in the country). Lofton would allow Gonzaga to develop Reid’s three-point shot and still maintain a dependable offensive rebounder and putback artist in the paint. Reid shot 77% as a putback scorer.
The do-everything big man recently participated in the G-League Elite Camp and will no doubt go through the process to see if he receives any guarantees from teams. His performance earned him a spot in the general combine, a significant step to getting his name called. But if he believes that another year in a pro-style offense would raise his draft stock to a surefire lottery pick, Gonzaga may be the best option for him. He will likely be heavily sought after by other elite programs like Houston.