Few athletes have blended speed, consistency, and charisma the way Kenny Lofton did during his 17-year Major League Baseball career. A six-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove Award winner, Lofton was a nightmare for pitchers and catchers alike, swiping over 600 bases and patrolling center field with elegance and command. While fans still debate his Hall of Fame candidacy, Lofton has never been far from the public conversation—and recently, his name’s been making the rounds in an entirely different sport: basketball.
With the rise of NBA forward Kenneth Lofton Jr., questions have surfaced everywhere from barbershops to podcasts to social media threads: Are they related? That’s where our interview starts. On today’s episode of Scoop B Radio, we got a chance to talk with Kenny Lofton himself about whether there’s a family tie between him and the former Memphis Grizzlies and Philadelphia 76ers big man—and his answer might surprise you. But that’s just the beginning. Lofton also shares where and when these mistaken-identity moments catch him off guard and how they’ve led to some pretty funny stories.
The conversation then shifts from the NBA hardwood to the baseball diamond, where Lofton reflects on why baseball doesn’t have the same kind of “Mount Rushmore” culture as basketball or football. Despite the sport’s long and storied history, Lofton believes baseball’s greatest figures often don’t receive the same spotlight, and he offers his take on why that is—and what should change. He also shares insight on who he watched growing up, painting a picture of the players that helped shape his approach and passion for the game.
As we dig deeper into baseball’s place in popular culture, Lofton opens up about the moments, storylines, and stats from the past and present that he feels don’t get talked about enough. From overlooked achievements to underappreciated legacies, he speaks candidly about what today’s media should be highlighting. And when the topic of sports records comes up, Lofton offers a thoughtful comparison: how LeBron James’ 40,000 points and John Stockton’s assist record stack up against baseball’s most untouchable feats.
From hoops mix-ups to hardball reflections, Kenny Lofton’s perspective is as sharp and layered as his game once was. Whether you’re a die-hard baseball fan, a casual observer, or just curious about that whole Lofton-Lofton Jr. situation, this conversation peels back the curtain on a legend still deeply connected to sports culture—and full of insight you didn’t know you needed.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Over the years, fans have speculated about a possible family connection between you and NBA player Kenneth Lofton Jr. — are you two actually related?
Kenny Lofton: [laughs] We’re not related. People think that and when you look at him he’s like, 6’9” or something and I’m only 6′ 0” and he’s like almost 280 and look at me, I’m only 190. So I mean, people think that but I ended up meeting him and he said, “Oh yeah, you’re the guy that they keep talking about that’s your dad…” and I’m like, ‘I ain’t your daddy and I tell people that but people still want to put us two together.’
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Have you had a chance to watch Kenneth Lofton Jr. play in the NBA, and what do you think of his game?
Kenny Lofton: Yeah! I always call him a mini Barkley but left-handed. He plays like that.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: What’s the funniest or most unexpected moment where someone seriously thought you were related to Kenneth Lofton Jr.?
Kenny Lofton: I mean, it’s not anything unusual so when I hear it, it’s not surprising anymore. So it’s not any crazy places but, you’ll see people come up to me and say, “Your son is ballin’!” and I’m like, ‘No, I don’t have a son. I have a little daughter but…’ But yeah, it’s pretty funny. [laughing]
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Why do you think baseball doesn’t have a widely accepted “Mount Rushmore” of greats the way basketball and football do?
Kenny Lofton: You won’t. Baseball’s a whole different beast and they look at it in a different way and baseball still has that… what they call that thing called when you go back in the day baseball they call it “the past time”. And the past time they didn’t have ‘certain’ people on Mount Rushmore so I don’t look at the American Pastime as the same because it doesn’t have someone like Jackie Robinson in there so it’s kind of tough.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Who were some of the players you looked up to or enjoyed watching when you were growing up and getting into baseball?
Kenny Lofton: I mean, I grew up in Chicago, so I was a Cubs fan. So anybody on the Cubs I was watching and that’s who my go-to was. If you were on the Cubs, you were somebody that I liked.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: What’s something in baseball—past or present—that you think isn’t getting enough attention in the media or in public conversations?
Kenny Lofton: How to get more black kids in the game and it’s how baseball is kind of keeping those kids away from it because they’re putting towards those games where you have to pay money to be in, and the kids that come from where I grew up won’t have that opportunity to get to a part of those games and that’s where people need to be more aware to get some of those kids from the city in part of those games.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: When you look at milestones like LeBron James scoring 40,000 points or John Stockton’s assist record, what would you say are the baseball equivalents of those seemingly unbreakable records?
Kenny Lofton: Well, you have Cal Ripken’s consecutive games streak and then you have Rickey Henderson’s stolen bases streak. Those two things will NEVER be broken. Never.
Kenny Lofton’s insight is more than just a reflection of a storied career—it’s a lens into the soul of a sport that’s constantly evolving, sometimes painfully, in the public eye. Whether it’s being mistaken for Kenneth Lofton Jr.’s father or weighing in on overlooked issues in baseball, Lofton speaks with a mix of humor, conviction, and lived experience that makes his perspective impossible to ignore.
Throughout our conversation, he reminded us that even with all the stats and accolades, baseball still struggles with inclusivity and accessibility—especially for young Black athletes. His call to action about opening more doors for inner-city kids isn’t just timely; it’s necessary. Lofton knows firsthand how talent can come from anywhere, but access and opportunity are often the biggest hurdles.
Equally compelling was his take on legacy and recognition—or the lack thereof. From questioning why baseball doesn’t have a clear “Mount Rushmore,” to pointing out Jackie Robinson’s glaring omission from mainstream legacy conversations, Lofton challenges us to think about how we honor greatness in America’s pastime.
And while he pays respect to NBA icons like LeBron James and John Stockton, Lofton didn’t hesitate to point to baseball’s own untouchable milestones—like Cal Ripken Jr.’s Iron Man streak and Rickey Henderson’s stolen base record—as feats that may never be matched. In doing so, he draws a direct line between eras, sports, and the athletes who push the boundaries of what’s possible.
At the end of the day, Kenny Lofton is more than just a former All-Star—he’s a thinker, a truth-teller, and a bridge between generations. Whether talking hoops, history, or the future of baseball, he brings a voice that’s authentic, informed, and still very much part of the game’s heartbeat.
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