Chris Lofton

Classroom

Lofton is majoring in African Studies and is scheduled to graduate in August 2008. He was named to the Thornton Center Honor Roll in the spring of 2005.

Character

Lofton has put team success above any individual accomplishments, frequently saying, “It’s not a matter of how much I score. I don’t even look at that. I look at wins.” Every player in the locker room likes and respects Lofton. He has an ability to get along with everyone. He is always the last player to leave the court after practice and then will come back to the gym later at night to take some extra shots. Through his hard work and dedication, Lofton has improved all areas of his game so that he is not just a shooter. Not given much of a chance to play at the Division I level, he has used that as a challenge throughout his career. When asked about the programs close to his home that did not recruit him, Lofton takes the high road, choosing not to say anything negative about those programs. Instead has handled the frequent questions about the subject with the utmost class.

Community

Lofton was named the Southeastern Conference Community Service Player of the Week in February 2007 in recognition for his work in the community. He visited children who were at East Tennessee Childrens Hospital and also visited with sick children at a hospital in Bratislava, Slovakia, when the Vols played five games in Europe in August 2007. Lofton has spent time playing with and signing autographs for children from area Boys and Girls Clubs. He participated in bell-ringing for the Salvation Army at West Town Mall to help raise money for shelters and other programs sponsored by the Salvation Army. He has frequently attended autograph signings for young children in the area.

Competition

Lofton was selected by Rivals.com as the No. 2 three-point shooter of all-time in May 2007. His career three-point percentage of 43.8 percent (313-714) is the best all-time at Tennessee and ranks seventh in SEC?history. He ranks second all-time at Tennessee and third in SEC?history with 313 three-pointers made. His 714 three-point attempts are second all-time at Tennessee and seventh in SEC?history. He has scored 1,572 career points, ranking him 13th in school history. His 145 career steals are tied for eighth all-time at UT, and his career scoring average of 17.1 points per game ranks 15th all-time at Tennessee. Lofton owns the Tennessee single-game records for three-pointers made (9), attempted (18) and percentage (5-for-5). He possesses single-season records for three-pointers made (114), attempted (261) and per game (3.80). He has won SEC?Player of the Week honors six times in his career, which is tied for the most in SEC?history. He was a consensus second team All-America selection as a junior (Associated Press, Sporting News, SI.com, Basketball Times, Rivals.com, Collegehoops.net) and third team All-America (NABC). He was the SEC Player of the Year (Associated Press, Dick Vitale-ESPN.com) and first-team All-SEC (Associated Press, Coaches). He was on the national ballot for the Wooden and Naismith awards and was the USBWA District 4 Player of the Year and NABC first team All-District 7. He was selected the ESPN.com national player of the week (Dec. 26) and was the Dick Vitale co-national player of the week (Dec. 11). He was a member of the 2007 SEC Community Service Team. He led the SEC with 20.8 points and 3.42 three-pointers per game while ranking fourth in the league with an 81.1 free throw percentage. He ranked 15th in the nation in scoring (20.8), 10th in three-pointers per game (3.4) and 36th in three-point percentage (41.9). His 106 three-pointers made, 253 three-point attempts and 3.42 three-pointers per game rank second on UT’s single-season charts. His 645 points scored in one season rank 11th on UT’s single-season lists. He tied a school record by going 13-of-13 at the free throw line in a 28-point effort against East Tennessee State (12/30/06). Continuing his success through his senior season, Lofton has been rewarded by being named a mid-season candidate for the Wooden Award.