Alexander Brown
CHICAGO – A handful of NBA Draft Prospects entered their names into the transfer portal ahead of the May 1 deadline to keep their potential options open.
Arizona star Caleb Love was not one of them. He also wasn’t one of the players who earned an invite to this week’s 2024 NBA Draft Combine.
Love competed at the G League Elite Camp on Saturday and Sunday and had a decent showing – Love hit a pair of triples and put down an impressive transition dunk in his first matchup, with four assists and just one turnover, while Game 2 was a bit tougher (eight points, two assists, three turnovers), but Love got three steals — but wasn’t called up to the combine, which was up for grabs for the best players. Love will be in the Windy City this week and could be called up for Wednesday’s scrimmages if the NBA needs extra bodies (stay tuned).
The reigning Pac-12 Player of the Year noted that he “never” considered entering the portal for the second year in a row. If he withdraws his name from the 2024 NBA Draft before the May 29 deadline, he will return to Tucson.
“This week is going to tell me a lot,” Love told CBS Sports on Saturday. “Playing the best I can and trying my best and showing in interviews the person I am off the court. After this week, I will have an understanding of where I want to go with this.”
The NBA did not consider Love one of the top 78 prospects in this draft class. If one of those 78 players decides to call things off after Tuesday’s team interviews, and if that player is a guard, then Love could have a chance to compete this week in scrimmages. There, he would have the opportunity to improve his draft position.
Love is fresh off the most efficient offensive season of his career. Love shot less than 60% from the rim for Arizona, by far the best of his four-year college career. Love never surpassed 50% during his first three seasons at UNC. He expanded his pick-and-roll effectiveness, reduced his turnover rate, shot 40% on 3-pointers and was a top-10 piece on Arizona’s defense. Love’s 5-of-18 shooting performance in Arizona’s 77-72 loss to Clemson in the Sweet 16 sticks out like a sore thumb, but it shouldn’t dissuade some of the progress Love has shown.
“Coach (Tommy) Lloyd helped me expand and develop my game,” Love said. “Playing with my teammates made it really fun. It was a great year overall. I definitely grew in areas that I didn’t at UNC, so I’m grateful to Arizona and the entire community.”
Love’s current focus is on the NBA Draft, but he has his eye on the roster Arizona brought together. He has a spot regardless. But before moving on to the Big 12, Arizona uploaded to the portal. oakland Trey Townsend and Tennessee Tobe Awaka are great reinforcements for an Arizona frontcourt that lost Oumar Ballo (to the portal) and Keshad Johnson (eligibility exhausted). Arizona was also involved in intriguing Campbell transfer Anthony Dell’Orso to add to Jaden Bradley and KJ Lewis in the backcourt. Oh, and Arizona has a flashy recruiting class traveling to Tucson.
“Tommy Lloyd It’s been working,” Love said with a laugh. “I’m definitely excited for them and the things they’re putting together. I knew he would enter the portal and get great complementary guys. These are some important pieces for Arizona, so I’m excited about them no matter what direction I go.”
Arizona has a good core, but could rise to a new level if the All-American and Pac-12 Player of the Year returns. Of course, the financial side looms over all of this. Returning to Arizona could provide Love with a NIL payout far in excess of what an elusive two-way deal would generate.
“I’ve never been one to back down for money,” Love said. “I didn’t transfer to get more money. I wanted the best situation for myself and I wanted to be on a good team that had aspirations of winning at the highest level and winning a national championship. to Arizona and if I decided to come back, it wouldn’t be for the money, it would be to expand my game and elevate it and compete for a national championship.”
