Following four standout years in upstate New York with St. Bonaventure, fifth-year transfer Kyle Lofton decided to take his final season of eligibility to the SEC where he joined head coach Todd Golden for his first campaign in charge of the Florida Gators.
Lofton arrives in Gainesville having averaged 13.9 PPG, 3 RPG, and 5.2 APG during his career as a four-year starter for the Bonnies winning numerous accolades including A-10 All-Freshman and three All-A-10 selections.
As Florida rebuilds a program that finished ninth in the SEC last season and fell out in the second round of the conference’s postseason tournament, Golden has done an excellent job of bringing in some exciting pieces to fill his roster and Lofton looks to be the new on-court leader.
The 6-foot-3 guard was St. Bonaventure’s primary ball-handler over the past four seasons and he’ll likely take on the same role as a Gator with Lofton carrying a veteran presence on what’s currently a very young Florida squad.
Lofton’s biggest criticism will be the lack of high-major basketball he’s played having spent four years playing in the Atlantic-10. However, with one NCAA Tournament appearance in 2021 to his name before helping St. Bonaventure to the 2022 NIT Semifinals with wins over Colorado, Oklahoma, and Virginia – only falling to Xavier just before the Finals with a 15-point, 11-assist performance – Lofton seems more than capable of making the jump.
While the SEC is always one of the toughest conferences in all of college basketball, between the leadership of Lofton, several key transfer additions, and a roster that already bolstered Colin Castleton, Myreon Jones, and Kowacie Reeves, the Gators should be improved and competitive for the 2022-23 season.
