Former UNC guard Caleb Love commits to Arizona
Posted May 30, 2023 7:39 p.m. EDT
The Caleb Love experience is headed west. The former UNC guard announced his commitment to the University of Arizona on his social media accounts. Love entered the transfer portal after the Tar Heels missed the NCAA tournament and passed on the NIT this season.
Love originally committed to the University of Michigan after entering the portal. According to ESPN there was an issue with Love's credits transferring. WRAL's Pat Welter spoke to Love's father, Dennis Love, who wouldn't confirm or deny those reports.
"Caleb was looking forward to playing at Michigan," Dennis Love said. "It didn't work out that way."
Caleb lead the Tar Heels with 16.7 ppg last season, but as a team Carolina struggled under the pressure to repeat 2022's run to the National Championship game. Caleb famously hit a three over the outstretched seven foot plus wingspan of Duke's Mark Mitchell to give Carlolina a 78-74 lead with twenty-eight seconds to go in the Final Four. Caleb was arguably the best player in the entire NCAA tournament. He chose to return to Carolina for his junior season after testing the NBA draft waters. In Arizona the Love family feels like they found a place where Caleb can take the next step.
"He's in a great situation for things to happen," Dennis Love said. "The culture and climate have been incredible."
Dennis said Caleb has a great relationship with Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd and has already been embraced by his new teammates. Caleb has been training in Phoenix, AZ. Dennis indicated that the decision was fueled more by winning than NIL.
"He's going to be coached, work, and improve himself," Dennis said. "He's on a Final Four caliber team, he's excited to go forward and give his best."
Arizona is coming off a first round exit in the NCAA tournament, but made the Sweet 16 under Lloyd the year before. Arizona is scheduled to play at Duke in Durham, NC November 10th.
