Texas basketball interested in LA Tech transfer Kenneth Lofton Jr.

We have once again arrived at that point of the calendar year for head coach Chris Beard and the Texas basketball program where the news cycle never really stops surrounding the NCAA Transfer Portal. There is a big wave of players entering the transfer portal following the conclusion of the 2021-22 college basketball season, which wrapped up last week with the Kansas Jayhawks topping the North Carolina Tar Heels to win the national title.

Beard and the Longhorns already look to be pretty active in the transfer portal early this offseason to fill emerging roster needs. And there are certainly plenty of appealing players that have already entered the transfer portal in the last week or so.

One of the newer names to watch on the Longhorns’ radar among the recent entrants to the transfer portal this offseason is the former star Louisiana Tech Bulldogs junior forward and the Port Arthur, TX, native Kenneth Lofton Jr.

Texas is reportedly one of a large number of schools interested in Lofton out of the portal. Among the other schools interested in Lofton thus far are the Gonzaga Bulldogs, Kansas State Wildcats, Kentucky Wildcats, Auburn Tigers, USC Trojans, LSU Tigers, Texas A&M Aggies, and Houston Cougars.

Texas basketball pursuing former Louisiana Tech transfer F Kenneth Lofton Jr.

Moreover, given some of the big-time losses the Longhorns could be facing in their wing/forward rotation this offseason, it makes sense that Beard and his staff are pursuing Lofton in the portal. He’s a very capable and proven forward that gives Beard and the Longhorns a starter in the frontcourt unit right away.

Texas could be set to lose key wings/forwards this offseason such as senior Timmy Allen, redshirt senior Andrew Jones, junior Tre Mitchell (who already left the team for personal reasons last season), senior Jase Febres, etc. That just goes to show how important it is for Beard to hit the portal and/or the recruiting trail to get depth back in this part of the rotation early this offseason.

During his two seasons playing for Louisiana Tech, Lofton became one of the more decorated players in Conference-USA. He is a two-time All-C-USA selection, the 2020-21 C-USA Newcomer of the Year, and is a 2022 C-USA All-Tournament Team selection.

What Lofton brings to the table out of the transfer portal this offseason is a versatile forward that mostly plays at the four. He’s an excellent rebounder, proficient scorer, and capable on-ball defender.

Lofton would be able to help the Longhorns with their interior defense and rebounding. He led the C-USA and ranked in the top 10 in the NCAA last season in rebounds per game (10.5). And Lofton led the C-USA and ranked 11th in the NCAA in rebounding percentage (21.5).

Texas had some issues in the battle on the boards at times late last season. Adding Lofton would go a long way to calming those concerns next season.

His scoring, on-ball defense, and ability to get to the free-throw line would all also be welcome additions to the Longhorns’ forward unit. But we can dig more into that impact later if the interest between Texas and Lofton legitimately starts to find traction as this offseason moves along.

Texas finished up last season with a record of 22-12 (10-8 Big 12) following their Round of 32 loss to the Purdue Boilermakers back on March 20. But Beard and the Longhorns were able to get the first NCAA Tournament win for this program since 2014 by knocking off the 11-seed Virginia Tech Hokies in the Round of 64.