Talks had been ongoing since Christmas, but the wait was on for another opportunity in Europe.
But after roughly a week and a half, Chris Lofton decided it was time for a new adventure – this time in Asia with Seoul SK Knights of the Korean Basketball League.
“We had been talking since Christmas. I was waiting for something in Europe, but I wasn’t sure if it was going to happen or not. My agent kept saying, ‘It’s a great opportunity for you to get out of your comfort zone. It’s short – two months – and you can go back to Europe after the season and have options,’” said Lofton. “He made it seem so good. I prayed about it and I felt God told me to take this deal.”
The 2004 Mason County graduate played the last decade across Europe with stops in countries including France, Lithuania, Spain, Turkey and Russia, but year 11 will see Lofton playing basketball in an unfamiliar country. What exactly did he know about his new destination as he signed with the Knights in the morning on January 4?
“Not a thing,” said Lofton. “Nothing.”
He didn’t have time to second guess his decision. By that night, the 32-year-old sharpshooter was on a plane to Chicago before making the trip to South Korea to join his new team.
“It was so fast, so quick, so last minute,” said Lofton.
Since that busy Friday, Lofton has been trying to get used to his new life. A 14-hour time difference from Mason County to Seoul has made that process difficult, but a little over a week in his new home has helped him set a new schedule. He stays in a dorm-style building, equipped with a practice gym, weight room, hot and cold tub and a chef.
“I’ve gotten better sleeping-wise, but I’m all over the place now. It’s such a big difference,” said Lofton. “You’re just starting your day and mine’s over. The first few days were rough.”
Another adjustment is in the game itself. Seoul SK Knights had a 10-21 record when he signed, according to asia-basket.com, and had lost 15 of the last 17 games they had played. The team lost the next game to Mobis Phoebus, 83-63, before Lofton was able to suit up for the first time on Jan. 10.
In his first game, Lofton played 15 minutes and scored five points as his team fell to Samsung Th., 89-84. In his second – an 86-79 loss to DB Promy – he had 18 points in 21 minutes of action, which included four 3-pointers.
“It’s a little different than what I’m used to. It’s my first time in Asia playing. It’s different rules, a different style and I’m just adjusting,” said Lofton.
“The second game did a lot better. We lost both games, but the second I did better, felt better,” added Lofton. “I had 18 points. I didn’t even know. My friends see the box score and they text me. I don’t care about points. I’m just trying to win.”
Lofton has noticed differences in the game itself, as well as pregame. He says the team starts warming up roughly 45 minutes before the game begins, where he’s used to being ready to go in 15 or 20 minutes. The team is also only permitted two foreign players and they can only be on the court together the second and third quarter, according to Lofton. Aaron Haynes, who played college basketball at Boise State before graduating in 2004, is the other.
It’s a major change from his latest stop. Lofton is coming off a season with Le Mans Sarthe of the French Ligue Nationale de Basket where his team knocked off AS Monaco Basket in the deciding fifth game of the JeepELITE championship series, 76-74, for their fifth title and first since 2006.
Lofton’s best game of the finals came in Game 3, where he scored 34 points in an 84-72 victory to give Le Mans Sarthe a 2-1 series lead. It’s the third-most ever in LNB Finals history, only behind Don Collins’ 40 points and David Rivers’ 36 points.
The playoff performances from the former standout at Mason County and the University of Tennessee, where he became the Southeastern Conference all-time leader in 3-pointers made, came after a regular season where he questioned whether he’d be able to keep playing.
“I went through a tough stretch last year. I sprained my ankle and kept trying to come back too quick. I was down. I thought, ‘Maybe this is it. I’m getting old, so maybe this is it.’ The organization was, like, wanting me to play, and I’m a competitor so you know I want to play, but I wasn’t good,” said Lofton. “I prayed and God told me to be patient and wait. It was for the better. I got healthy and played throughout the playoffs and won a championship. It’s always great when you listen to Him.”
After claiming his first-ever league title, Lofton’s original plan was to return to France for his 11th season of professional basketball, but it didn’t end up happening.
“I was going to go back to France. I would have had to leave August 3, but I wasn’t ready,” said Lofton. “I wanted something different. They wanted me back, but I was ready for something different, you know? I loved the organization, loved the fans, my teammates, but I was ready to go somewhere different.”
The decision to wait led Lofton to South Korea, where he’s in the middle of a 13-day layoff for an all-star break that he’s using to try to get into better shape and learn more about the game in a new league. He’s also hoping to make it out into the city – with his translator that travels around with him – to take in the sights and culture during the time off he has.
“I’ve always learned if God tells you to do something, you have to do it,” said Lofton. “It’s good. It’s getting me out of my comfort zone. Being in Asia, I’m uncomfortable, but that’s when you grow more. I like challenges like that.
“I’m feeling good. I’m not in great game shape yet. I’m getting used to it and adjusted and stuff,” added Lofton. “This week is big for me. I’m getting some extra conditioning and learning plays. This week going to help out a lot.”
The regular season concludes on March 19. Once the season is over for Seoul SK Knights, Lofton says he’ll become a free agent and may play more in Europe, if the chance arises. But after his season is over, he’s not sure if he’ll return for a 12th year of professional ball.
“I’ve been talking to a friend about that. I keep saying this is going to be my last year. I want to get into coaching and see if like that,” said Lofton. “The more I think about it, that’s my plan … God, if he tells me to hang it up, I’ll do it.”
For now, though, Lofton is just planning to enjoy his time in South Korea and hoping he can help turn his new team around over the two months’ worth of games they have remaining on the schedule.
“Seoul is one of the best cities in Asia. I’m looking forward to walking around, seeing the sights and meeting some people,” said Lofton. “With basketball, it’s just doing what I love, playing hard, enjoying it and realizing how blessed I am.”
