LEXINGTON – Some of the best high school basketball teams across Kentucky will be in Lexington this weekend for a summer basketball tournament.
But before things really got going, two of the best basketball players the state has produced made an appearance.
Mason County graduate Chris Lofton and Bryan Station graduate Shelvin Mack participated in a question and answer session at the start of the Mack, Miller and Lofton High School Tournament at the Kentucky Basketball Commission on Friday so the young players could learn more about their professional basketball careers.
“It’s something that you can’t put a price tag on,” said KBC co-founder Julius King. “Those guys and their lifelong experiences and their professional journeys – you want to enrich the youth with those things and give those kids hope and give them the knowledge to make it further than those guys.”
King is a Mason County graduate, like Lofton and Darius Miller, who played the last two seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans but was unable to attend Friday’s event. King was originally a Maysville Bulldog, but went to Mason County as a junior for the 1991-92 season when the schools merged and was part of two 10th Region titles the Royals won. Because of that, having the tournament in honor of players like Lofton and Miller is a little extra special.
“Those guys grew up sitting underneath the basket watching me. I remember both of those guys when they were little dudes, so for me to have those guys involved and us being from Maysville – we’re family, man,” said King. “That means everything for me to be able to share what I have and have those guys come back and share what they have with all the kids around the state of Kentucky.”
Lofton was able to do what King’s region title teams weren’t – bring a state title back to Mason County. The sharpshooter helped the Royals claim the program’s first title in 2003 and led the team back to the championship game the next year, where they fell to Warren Central, 66-56.
He went on to have a successful career at the University of Tennessee, where he became the Southeastern Conference all-time leader in 3-pointers made and was named the 2007 SEC Player of the Year. Lofton recently finished up his 11th season of professional basketball overseas, which took him to the Seoul SK Knights of the Korean Basketball League.
“I remember coming here when I was growing up playing in tournaments here and how it was a big deal and how it helped me to be able to come here,” said Lofton. “I remember Rex Chapman was here working when I came in high school, so to see a Kentucky guy that’s had success at the next level to be here, I was like, maybe they can see me, Shelvin and Darius, see this and have some motivation and know that you can play, with Shelvin and Darius in the NBA and me in Europe. You can continue to play even if you don’t make the NBA and try to give them advice.”
In 2008, Miller helped bring the second Sweet Sixteen title to Mason County. He went on to the University of Kentucky, where he helped the Wildcats to a national title in 2012. He was drafted by the Pelicans and played parts of three seasons in New Orleans before going to Germany and winning three Basketball Bundesliga titles with Brose Bamberg. His success helped him earn another shot at the NBA with the same team that drafted him.
Mack averaged 22.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.3 assists as a senior with the Defenders. He went on to help Butler to two NCAA championship games before leaving for the NBA, where he most recently played for the Charlotte Hornets.
“I had some guys that came back and helped me and taught me the right way and I think the biggest thing is being able to touch it and see it. If I didn’t have those guys — being able to touch and go out and work with those guys — I don’t think it would be the same,” said Mack. “I’m a big believer that if you can see it, you can achieve it. I’m just trying to be accessible for those guys to pick it up.”
The two Bluegrass basketball products also gave insight into a variety of topics, including their workouts, the people they surround themselves with and the things they would change if they could.
“Being a great basketball player is great, but my favorite thing is people say I’m a great person,” said Lofton. “I think that’s going to take me farther than basketball ever will.”
Mack and Lofton were also asked about specifics of their careers, including who the best players they’ve had to guard were. Mack says his was Kyrie Irving and Lofton said the toughest player he’s guarded was Derrick Rose. The Mason County graduate was also asked about the 3-pointer he made over Kevin Durant in a 111-105 overtime win against Texas in December 2006.
The two finished with closing advice for the players trying to make it to the professional ranks, before the games resumed. Each team in the tournament, which features both Mason County and Bryan Station, along with many others, plays three pool games before a tournament that will conclude with a championship game on Sunday.
A full schedule for the event can be found on the KBC website, www.kbchoops.com.
