If the NBA obviously occupies all our nights, we also try to keep an eye on the G League, especially when there is a phenomenon like Kenneth Lofton Jr. who walks the floors. The interior of the Memphis Hustle – with a very atypical physical profile (1m98, 125 kilos) but with a well-honed technique – crushed everything in its path last night.
33 points, 16 rebounds, 3 assists in 30 minutes, all at 9/16 in shooting and 8/10 in free throws.
Here’s Lofton Jr.’s stat line after Friday’s game between the Memphis Hustle and the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Undrafted a few months ago but showing great things in the Summer League last summer and especially in the G League currently, Kenny has equaled his personal best in scoring while beating the one for rebounds. Opposite, they simply couldn’t cope with the guy’s 125 kilos.
Too powerful, too imposing, too strong.
And in addition, the inside of 20 years was decisive in the money time, releasing the counter of victory as the Hustle led by two points 115-113 with ten seconds remaining. In short, what more could you ask for? Ah yes, we know: a return to the Memphis Grizzlies squad.
Ok it’s very nice to see Kenneth Lofton Jr. doing crazy things in the G League, and we’re trying to make the most of it. But the ultimate kiff would really be to be able to observe him on the NBA floors, he who had only three small appearances with the Grizzlies in the 2022-23 regular season. Admittedly, his very particular physical profile can quickly be penalizing at the highest level, but this kid has so much basketball in his hands that we want to see him among the big boys.
Can you hear us Taylor Jenkins?
