Jan 6, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) dribbles against New Orleans Pelicans forward Naji Marshall (8) during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Kevin Durant does a lot of things on his Twitter page, but one thing he likes to do is provide acknowledgment of good sportsmanship.
On Saturday, the University of Tennessee retired the No. 5 jersey during the Volunteers’ big home game against Kentucky. Lofton is a three-time All-SEC selection, a two-time consensus second-team All-American, and a 2007 AP SEC Player of the Year.
During the ceremony, Durant took to Twitter to congratulate Lofton for his achievement and appreciation from the Volunteers’ basketball program.
Durant and Lofton had an epic matchup on the court on Dec. 23, 2006, in Knoxville. Durant scored 26 points shooting 10-of-22 and 6-of-7 at the free-throw line.
Lofton’s performance propelled the Volunteers to a 111-105 victory in overtime. Lofton scored 35 points, shooting 8-of-24 in field goals, 7-of-16 from the 3-point arc, and 6-of-7 at the free-throw line. He also accounted for 11 rebounds and a steal.
Lofton joins Dale Ellis (#14), Allen Houston (#20), Bernard King (#53), and Ernie Grunfeld (#22) as the only players for Tennessee’s men’s basketball program to have its numbers retired.
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I was at that game!! I was only like 13 and it was my first game I had ever been to! My basketball coach took me, I remember us being down by like 12 or 15 points with like 7 mins or something left and the coach was saying cmon guys let’s beat the traffic. I remember telling him just wait 2 more mins coach… well the vols went on a run with back to back 3s by lofton and jajuan smith! Another great vol! I’ll never forget that 3 lofton hit over Durant from like the circle of half court!! The crowd went crazy!! Gotta give props to Durant tho bc he came back down and hit a game tying 2 to send it to ot!! Best game I’ve ever been to hands down!!
That would be Allan Houston. Not Allen.