CUSA Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade (2013-23)

By Joey Loose | Jul 19, 2023

Mar 19, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; North Texas Mean Green guard James Reese (0) celebrates with guard Mardrez McBride (1) and guard Javion Hamlet (3) during overtime against the Purdue Boilermakers in the first round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

8 of 26

CUSA Basketball Louisiana Tech Bulldogs forward Kenneth Lofton Jr. Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

19. Kenneth Lofton Jr.

A surprising name in the NBA this past season, Lofton is a 6’7 forward from Port Arthur, Texas who played his college ball at Louisiana Tech. He was certainly an impactful presence during his brief time with the Bulldogs, playing just a pair of seasons in the CUSA before heading off to professional ball in 2022.

Emerging as a star during his freshman season, Lofton averaged 12.2 points and 7.5 rebounds and helped lead the Bulldogs to the CUSA regular season title. He had a plethora of double-doubles, including a 27-point, 13-rebound performance in the NIT against Colorado State. He showed up on the big stage, scoring 36 points in a road loss to NC State during his sophomore season. He’d average 16.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, though the Bulldogs would fall short of the Big Dance again.

Lofton was named CUSA Rookie of the Year as a freshman before averaging a double-double as a sophomore, easily earning First Team honors in the league. He was one of the top rebounders in the nation and had solid scoring numbers as well. He helped lead Louisiana Tech to a pair of impressive seasons and set himself up well for the next level, already showing spots of brilliance in the NBA these last twelve months.
with that trip to the Big Dance that came in 2019.