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Tennessee basketball: Top five transfer portal players for Vols to target

By Caleb Calhoun

Mar 17, 2022; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Chattanooga Mocs guard Malachi Smith speaks with the media at a press conference prior to practice for the first round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2022; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Chattanooga Mocs guard Malachi Smith speaks with the media at a press conference prior to practice for the first round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 11, 2022; Frisco, TX, USA; Louisiana Tech Bulldogs forward Kenneth Lofton Jr. (2) walks back up the court after making a basket against the North Texas Mean Green during the second half of the menÕs basketball semi-finals of the USA Conference Tournament at Ford Center at The Star. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2022; Frisco, TX, USA; Louisiana Tech Bulldogs forward Kenneth Lofton Jr. (2) walks back up the court after making a basket against the North Texas Mean Green during the second half of the menÕs basketball semi-finals of the USA Conference Tournament at Ford Center at The Star. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Forward. Kenneth Lofton Jr.. 4. 2120. Pick Analysis. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. player. Scouting Report

6’7″ 275 pounds

All signs point to Kenneth Lofton Jr. picking the Houston Texans, and as a product of Port Arthur Memorial High School in Jefferson County, that makes sense. However, Tennessee basketball should continue pursuing him until it’s finalized. Rick Barnes has connections to the state, and Lofton, a junior with three years of eligibility left, would be a huge get.

UT obviously has a great history with Loftons, ie. Chris Lofton, but Kenneth Lofton Jr. would fill a different void. Barnes still hasn’t addressed his issue in the post amidst the departures of John Fulkerson and Brandon Huntley-Hatfield. The return of Olivier Nkamhoua won’t be enough.

Lofton could help in a big way. In each of his two years with the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, he averaged double figures. Last year, he turned into a double-double machine, averaging over 16 points and 10 rebounds. His free throw shooting improved to 67.2 percent as well.

Barnes has experience developing post players who used their width to make a difference. He turned Admiral Schofield into a wing with a size advantage and made Grant Williams a star. Lofton would be a great addition for him, and he could back up Nkamhoua this year with the chance to become the starter next year.

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