Port Arthur will be represented during the 2021 FIBA World Cup thanks to the efforts of one of its up-and-coming basketball stars.
Kenneth Lofton Jr., who enjoyed a historic freshman season at Louisiana Tech last year, was named late Thursday night to the Under-19 USA Basketball World Cup Team. The Port Arthur Memorial graduate was one of 12 players selected for the squad, which will compete for a gold medal in Riga, Latvia next month.
Lofton’s selection comes after going through a six-day training camp in Fort Worth alongside 26 other athletes. That group was then cut down to 17 finalists before the 12-man roster was announced.
The team features six players who completed their first collegiate season and six players from the high school class of 2021. Texas Christian head coach Jamie Dixon will lead the Under-19 team in Latvia.
“Although the committee had to make some tough decisions in the selection process, we are thrilled with the potential this team brings to the court,” Dixon said. “Its length, basketball IQ, defensive prowess and offensive abilities should make us a strong team, and I am looking forward to the challenge of competing in the U19 World Cup in July.”
Lofton won a state championship with Memorial in 2018, and chose to play his college ball at Louisiana Tech. Once there, Lofton immediately thrived last season as a freshman, leading the team in scoring and rebounding.
He was named as the Conference USA Freshman of the Year after averaging 12.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Lofton is the first player from Louisiana Tech to ever earn a spot on the Under-19 USA team.
“So excited for Junior,” Louisiana Tech head coach Eric Konkol said. “He is going to represent his family, Louisiana Tech, Port Arthur and the United States of America very well.”
The USA team will continue to train on TCU’s campus through June 28, then travel to Riga, Latvia for the 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup that will be played from July 3-11.
USA was drawn into Group D, alongside Australia, Mali and Turkey for the preliminary rounds that will take place July 3-6.
“For some of our guys, it will be the first time leaving the country and everyone is excited about having the honor of representing their country,” Dixon said.
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