Chris Lofton is a former American professional basketball player, renowned for his exceptional career at the University of Tennessee. Born on March 27, 1986, in Maysville, Kentucky, Lofton led the Mason County Royals to a state championship in 2003 and was named Kentucky Mr. Basketball in 2004.
At Tennessee, Lofton became one of the most prolific shooters in NCAA history. He set the Southeastern Conference (SEC) record for career three-pointers with 431, a record that still stands. His collegiate accolades include being named SEC Player of the Year in 2007 and earning consensus second-team All-American honors in 2007 and 2008.
In 2007, during the NCAA tournament, Lofton underwent a routine drug test that unexpectedly revealed elevated levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), a hormone that can indicate cancer. This finding led to a diagnosis of testicular cancer. Despite this challenge, Lofton underwent treatment and continued to play, leading Tennessee to the Sweet 16 in the 2008 NCAA tournament.
Lofton’s professional career took him overseas, where he played for various teams in countries including Turkey, Spain, France, Lithuania, and South Korea. Notably, he won the French Pro A championship with Le Mans Sarthe Basket in 2018.
In March 2025, the SEC Network aired a documentary titled “Volunteer for Life,” highlighting Lofton’s journey, including his battle with cancer and his impact on Tennessee basketball.
For a deeper insight into Chris Lofton’s story, you might find the following video inspiring: