No secret about Lofton

"After reviewing my draft status from the NBA,’’ the 6-foot-2 shooting guard hurriedly read from a prepared statement, "I’ve decided to return to Tennessee for my senior year.’’

So what most already assumed became official: the Vols’ leading scorer, the SEC’s player of the year, one of the country’s most feared perimeter shooter, isn’t going anywhere.

Not that Lofton had really given it serious thought.

So why was Lofton holding a press conference?

"It was coach’s idea,’’ Lofton said. "I’m no Greg Oden or Kevin Durant. I knew all along I was coming back.’’

Just as it was Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl who encouraged Lofton to submit his name to the NBA Draft Advisory Board and get a thorough evaluation.

Lofton, who helped lead UT to the NCAA tournament’s Sweet 16 last year, said there was wisdom in that.

"There was a part of me that wanted to see how it would shake out,’’ Lofton said.

Stu Jackson, the NBA’s executive vice president of operations, left a message on Lofton’s phone that he would most likely be drafted in the middle of the second round, and that he needed to develop better ball-handling and point guard skills.

"It’s about what we thought it would be,’’ Pearl said. "I encouraged him that if he could get in the middle of the first round, it was something he needed to look at.’’

Pearl said as it was explained to him, the NBA breaks its projections down into five categories: a lottery pick or high-first rounder, a first round or early second-rounder, most likely drafted in the second round, a chance to be drafted, would not be drafted.

Lofton will have plenty of opportunities to improve his stock, starting this summer at tryouts for the USA Basketball Pan Am Games, which will be played in Brazil.

"Jay Wright is the coach, and tryouts will be in Philadelphia,’’ Pearl said. "They’ll start July 12 and he’ll be there for about a week and then they’ll make cuts. The competition is July 25 through 29, and this will not have an effect on Chris traveling overseas with us. It’s a nice opportunity to wear that U.S. basketball jersey.’’

Pearl said with the amount of zone played in international basketball, Lofton is a logical choice for a roster spot.

The Vols embark on their European trip Aug. 8 and will travel through Austria, Slovakia and the Czech Republic before returning home Aug. 19.

Pearl said the European trip gives Lofton an opportunity to hone his point guard skills as UT prepares for the upcoming season.

The player most affected by Lofton’s new responsibilities will be Jordan Howell, Pearl said.

"Jordan played 10 minutes behind Ramar at point guard, and what I’m going to do is see if we can give Chris those minutes,’’ Pearl said. "I’ll ask Jordan to do what he does well, which is shoot the ball, and be more like Lee Humphrey.

"I think it’s important for his (Lofton’s) own development ? to have him in that role. We’ll start the fall thinking along the same lines.’’

Lofton is eager to turn his attention to next season. He was so upset over the Sweet 16 loss to Ohio State that he didn’t watch the NCAA Tournament title game.

"It’s real exciting just knowing the team we have coming back,’’ Lofton said. "My freshman year was a disaster for us; nobody came to our games. Last year, everybody came, and it’s gotten to another level.

"We have some new additions, and with hard work and determination, we can be a great team.’’

His future at UT cemented, that’s the only projection Lofton is concerned with.