Memphis Grizzlies rookie Kenneth Lofton Jr. on Friday dropped his second 30-point game of the season on assignment with the Memphis Hustle in the NBA G League.
Lofton produced 33 points, a season-high 16 rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block in a 117-113 win over the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. He went 9-of-16 from the field and 8-of-10 from the free-throw line in 30 minutes of work.
The undrafted forward from Louisiana Tech is one of 20 players with multiple 30-point games in the G League this season. His 33 points tied a season-high set on Nov. 19, which also came in a win over the Vipers.
Kenneth Lofton Jr. had a MONSTER stat line!!! 😤
The big man tied his career-high 33 PTS in addition to posting a career-high 16 REB for @MemphisHustle. This man is a beast!! pic.twitter.com/FDUXFd9HeA
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) December 17, 2022
Lofton once again dominated the paint with his size at 275 pounds. He has often been able to overpower his opponents and play bully ball, something that has been unstoppable at this point. He is eighth in the G League in points in the paint with 16.4 per game.
The 20-year-old will spend the majority of the season in a developmental role in the G League on his two-way contract. The games will serve as a great chance for him to continue his transition from college to the NBA and adjust to the quicker speed of the game.
He has looked tremendous in the early going, which is certainly an encouraging sign for the organization. With some more development and growth, Lofton looks poised to eventually develop into a full-time rotation player.
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