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

By Joey Loose | Sep 6, 2023

Mar 17, 2022; Buffalo, NY, USA; New Mexico State Aggies guard Teddy Allen (0) shoots over Connecticut Huskies guard Tyrese Martin (4) in the first half during their first round game of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /

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WAC Basketball New Mexico State Aggies guard Zach Lofton Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

18. Zach Lofton

A long journey took Lofton to New Mexico State, which was the final spot in his collegiate career. This 6’4 guard from St. Paul, Minnesota spent time at San Jacinto College and Illinois State before getting dismissed from Minnesota, never getting his shot in the Big Ten. He bounced back with a fantastic season at Texas Southern before arriving in Las Cruces back in 2017, arriving the same time as head coach Chris Jans.

Joining a winning culture at New Mexico State, Lofton fit well into the program, averaging 20.1 points and 5.0 rebounds in his senior season. He’d lead the Aggies to a 28-win season and both regular season and conference tournament titles in the WAC. Lofton actually had nine different games with at least 28 points, including a 29-point effort in their NCAA Tournament loss to Clemson to end his collegiate career.

Lofton made an immediate impact with the Aggies and was named First Team All-WAC. One of the league’s most explosive scorers, he led the conference in field goals and was clearly a major part of New Mexico State’s success. Lofton’s career was a long and winding road, but he found significant success in those later years. He fit in almost flawlessly with the Aggies and was a part of their success in 2018.