Kenneth Lofton Jr. is one win away from bringing a gold medal back to Port Arthur.
The 6-foot-7 power forward used his physical brand of basketball to dominate Canada’s taller post players on Saturday, leading the United States to a 92-86 semifinal win during the Under-19 FIBA World Cup in Riga, Latvia.
Lofton finished with a team-high 16 points and 7 rebounds as USA held off a late run from Canada. He’s now reached double figures scoring in each of his last three games during USA’s run to the championship game.
“That’s the reason we came here — to compete for a gold medal,” Lofton said after the win. “Now that we are in the championship game, it’s time to finish off with a win.”
For most of Saturday’s game, Lofton was matched up with Canada center Zach Edey, a Purdue sophomore who stands 7-feet, 4 inches. Despite Lofton’s severe height disadvantage, he used his wide frame and well-time post moves to make space down low.
Lofton shot an efficient 6-for-9 from the field, along with 4-of-5 from the free throw line.
Although Edey would finish the game with 16 points and 16 rebounds, it was Lofton who made several game-changing plays late in the third quarter when Canada rallied to get within one possession.
Saturday’s game was the toughest test yet for the United States, which used blowout wins to advance through the previous rounds. USA beat Korea, 132-60, on Thursday, then took down Senegal, 88-58, on Friday to reach the semifinals.
USA head coach Jamie Dixon said Lofton has been a difference-maker for the team throughout the tournament.
“Well, (Lofton) is really a tough guy to defend,” said Dixon, also the head coach at Texas Christian University. “We have good passing, and then he really finishes around the rim, gets his back to the basket, gets offensive rebounds, and can score on dump offs. So it is a good combination, and he is pretty good from the free throw line.”
USA now advances to face France in the championship game at 11 a.m. on Sunday. The French feature 7-foot-2 center Victor Wembanyama, who’s touted as one of the best young prospects in the world.
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