Former Tennessee basketball guard Chris Lofton didn't leave Knoxville behind when his decorated college career ended. Now a part of Vol Network and whose jersey number was retired in 2023, Lofton makes sure his connection to Tennessee has remained strong.
But it has been a while − more than six years − since Lofton hosted a signature event here. Lofton sported the bright, familiar smile as he coached children decked in Vols gear during his skills camp at Next Gen Athletics on Aug. 6.
"Hopefully they can learn and improve and work on their games," Lofton said. "Because I put myself in their position when I was their age, going to basketball camps and how much fun it was for me and how I learned so much."
Lofton still holds the Tennessee and SEC
records for 3-pointers made in a single season and has scored the fourth-most total points in school history.
During an All-American career from 2004-08, Lofton led the Vols to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, back-to-back Sweet 16 berths and an SEC regular season championship. After leaving Knoxville, Lofton played overseas in Turkey, Spain, France, Russia, Lithuania and Korea from 2008-19.
The place his retired No. 5 occupies in the rafters of Food City Center is well-earned. But Lofton was back in the home arena of his college career the evening before his skills camp and still can't fully appreciate the place he holds in program history.
"It's still very surreal for me," he said. "I love the University of Tennessee, I'm a (Vol for Life), I bleed orange. It's always going to be a special place."
Hosting the camp was a way for a Lofton to return something to a city which gave him so much.
"I always say it's my second home, behind Maysville, (Kentucky)," Lofton said. "Knoxville has been great to me, the University of Tennessee has been a special place in my heart and always will be. So anytime I can come back here, do a camp and give back to these kids, it's a no-brainer for me."
Chris Lofton scouting report on Tennessee roster
Lofton worked as a color analyst on Vol Network radio for the first time last season, providing his insights into an unexpected third straight Elite Eight run. All but two players from the team that fell to eventual national champion Michigan.
So Lofton still has some homework to do before his second season as an analyst for Mike Keith. But he can already tell the program has taken serious steps about breaking through to the Final Four.
"On paper, it looks real good," Lofton said. "I know coach (Rick Barnes) has put together a good team. They felt like we needed some additions and they went out and got them. I'm predicting a great year."
It would be a remarkable feat for any of the Vols' 13 newcomers to break the shooting records Lofton set during his four seasons. But a critical part of renovating this new edition involved adding some more offensive weapons.
"They got a few shooters," Lofton said. "(Belmont transfer Tyler) Lundblade, Dai Dai (Ames) ... hopefully they can break all of (my) records."
Stephen Thompson covers Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball. Email him at stephen.thompson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @stephenethom.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: What brought Chris Lofton back to Knoxville, scouting report for Tennessee basketball
