Chris Lofton’s victory

Ryan Pravato — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:28:31 +0000

Former Tennessee guard Chris Lofton had a less than spectacular senior campaign in 07/08. Much of the college basketball world was perplexed as to why Lofton was playing so poorly, why his shooting percentages and scoring averages had fallen drastically. Was it because of a lackadaisical training effort during the offseason, one which was void of enough work-on-your-game-all-day kind of days, or maybe it was because he wasn’t quite as good as everyone thought… maybe the 20.8 ppg junior season was just an aberration?

It was nothing that simple.

Tennessee’s Lofton quietly faced and beat cancer

A few days after the 06/07 season, Lofton was diagnosed with testicular cancer. A secretive surgery was planned. Besides some family members, the Tennessee coaching and training staff and a few select others, nobody knew. Not a single teammate knew about his cancer until towards the end of the 07/08 season. Lofton wanted the season to be excuse free. He felt it was better for the team to be that way.

The often weak and energy-less Lofton still managed to go for 15.5ppg last year. However Chris and the coaching staff were continually hit with questions as to why he was struggling, why he was a little off.

But the few all knowing did their job.

Props to all of the people who respected Lofton’s wishes. Not an easy thing to do I assume, whether you’re the coach, the trainer or a family member.

Lofton is now cancer free and back on the road to regaining his basketball prowess he had prior to his senior year.

As for Lofton’s NBA aspirations…

Don’t count on Lofton’s name to be called on draft night.

Don’t count on him to give cancer as an excuse.

Do count on him to play in the NBA one day.

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Chris Lofton’s victory

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Chris Lofton’s victory