Many basketball fans have wondered if Kenneth Lofton Jr., the rising star of the Memphis Grizzlies, is related to Kenny Lofton, the former MLB All-Star and six-time Gold Glove winner. The answer is no, they are not related by blood, but they do share some similarities in their athletic careers and backgrounds.
Contents
Who is Kenneth Lofton Jr.?
Kenneth Lofton Jr. is a 20-year-old professional basketball player who plays for the Memphis Grizzlies of the NBA. He signed a two-way contract with the team in July 2022, after going undrafted in the 2022 NBA draft. He also plays for the Memphis Hustle, the Grizzlies’ affiliate in the NBA G League.
Lofton Jr. played college basketball for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, where he was a two-time all-conference selection in Conference USA. He averaged 16.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game as a sophomore in 2022, earning first-team honors. He also represented the United States at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 World Cup, where he helped his team win the gold medal.
Lofton Jr. is known for his physicality, versatility, and scoring ability in the paint. He stands at 6 feet 7 inches and weighs 275 pounds, making him one of the heaviest players in the NBA. He has drawn comparisons to players like Zach Randolph, Charles Barkley, and Draymond Green.
Who is Kenny Lofton?
Kenny Lofton is a 54-year-old former professional baseball player who played for 11 teams in the MLB from 1991 to 2007. He was primarily a center fielder and a leadoff hitter, known for his speed, defense, and base stealing skills. He was a six-time All-Star, a four-time Silver Slugger, and a six-time Gold Glove winner. He also led the American League in stolen bases five times and holds the record for most career postseason stolen bases with 34.
Lofton was also a basketball player in college, playing for the Arizona Wildcats alongside future NBA stars like Sean Elliott and Steve Kerr. He helped his team reach the Final Four in 1988 as a backup point guard. He was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 17th round of the 1988 MLB draft, but he did not sign with them until he finished his basketball eligibility in 1989.
Lofton is widely regarded as one of the best center fielders of his era and one of the greatest leadoff hitters of all time. He is also considered a borderline Hall of Famer, having received 18.9% of the votes in his last year of eligibility in 2018.
How are they similar?
Despite not being related by blood, Kenneth Lofton Jr. and Kenny Lofton share some similarities in their athletic careers and backgrounds.
– They both have the same first and last name, although they spell their middle names differently (Wayne vs. Wane).
– They both grew up in Texas (Port Arthur vs. East Chicago).
– They both played basketball and baseball in high school and college.
– They both were undrafted in their respective sports but went on to have successful professional careers.
– They both wear or wore number 6 on their jerseys.
How are they different?
Kenneth Lofton Jr. and Kenny Lofton also have some differences in their athletic careers and backgrounds.
– They play different sports (basketball vs. baseball).
– They have different physical attributes (6’7″, 275 lbs vs. 6’0″, 180 lbs).
– They have different roles on their teams (power forward/center vs. center fielder/leadoff hitter).
– They have different accolades and achievements (NBA G League Rookie of the Year vs. six-time MLB All-Star).
Conclusion
Kenneth Lofton Jr. and Kenny Lofton are not related by blood, but they do share some similarities in their athletic careers and backgrounds. They both have the same name, grew up in Texas, played basketball and baseball in high school and college, were undrafted in their respective sports, and wear or wore number 6 on their jerseys. However, they also have some differences in their sports, physical attributes, roles on their teams, and accolades and achievements.
According to Wikipedia, ESPN, and The NBA G League, Kenneth Lofton Jr. is a rising star of the Memphis Grizzlies who played college basketball for Louisiana Tech and represented the United States at the FIBA Under-19 World Cup. According to Wikipedia, Kenny Lofton is a former MLB All-Star who played for 11 teams and led the American League in stolen bases five times. He also played basketball for Arizona and reached the Final Four in 1988.
