photo by Erin Lanahan/The Intrepid
Even though it will only be Kyle Lofton’s second season, the St. Bonaventure men’s basketball team will lean on him to become a leader.
The Bonnies will have to replace the leadership roles that LaDarien Griffin and Courtney Stockard left when the graduated. Lofton hopes he can be the man to do it.
Lofton said that Griffin and Stockard left him a great example how to be a great leader.
“They showed me how not to let struggles off the court affect me on the court,” he said.
The sophomore point guard was voted a team captain by the players and coaches.
“It shows the trust the head coach has in me,” Lofton said.
Lofton will co-captain the team, alongside senior Amadi Ikpeze and redshirt sophomore Bobby Planutis.
Lofton had an impressive freshman season.
He averaged 14.4 points and 3.7 assists per game, which earned him a spot on the A-10 All–Rookie Team.
Even with a breakout freshman season, one of the most important goals for Lofton is to be a good leader.
One part of the Lofton’s game he has been working on is his three-point shooting. Lofton said the change in the three- point line will not affect his shot choice.
“We have been working with it all summer,” he said.
One thing that is very important to Lofton is his home state, New Jersey.
Lofton has a tattoo on his calf with the logo of the New Jersey Nets.
“I’m not a Nets fan but I wanted to represent New Jersey basketball,” he said
New Jersey basketball has been represented well the past couple of seasons at St. Bonaventure.
There are four players on the roster that played high school basketball in New Jersey.
“Being from the metropolitan area, they teach us hard work and winning,” Lofton said.
Lofton will look to lead the Bonnies tonight when they take on the Ohio Bobcats at 7:30.
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