Kenny Lofton, a six-time MLB All-Star, addressed speculation about a family connection to NBA forward Kenneth Lofton Jr. during an interview with Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson on Scoop B Radio this week. The former Cleveland Indians star made it clear that despite sharing a surname, the two are not related.
“People think that and when you look at him he’s like, 6’9” or something and I’m only 6′ 0” and he’s like almost 280 and look at me, I’m only 190,” Lofton said, laughing. “I ended up meeting him and he said, ‘Oh yeah, you’re the guy that they keep talking about that’s your dad…’ and I’m like, ‘I ain’t your daddy.’”
Lofton also spoke about Kenneth Jr.’s style of play, drawing a parallel to an NBA legend. “Yeah! I always call him a mini Barkley but left-handed. He plays like that,” he told Robinson.
Kenneth Lofton Jr., who went undrafted in 2022, has bounced around the NBA and G League before joining the Shanghai Sharks in 2024.
The big man made history in 2023 with the Memphis Grizzlies when he scored 42 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in his first career start, becoming the first player since 1970–71 to record a 40–10 game in a debut start.
Over two NBA seasons, Lofton Jr. has appeared in 45 regular season games, averaging 4.8 points and 2.0 rebounds per game. He also had a brief stint with the Utah Jazz before signing with Shanghai.
