St. Louisan Caleb Love has continued to be one of the surprise players in the National Basketball Association’s rookie class.
The former CBC star went undrafted after a stellar career at North Carolina and Arizona. Love signed with the Portland Trailblazers as an undrafted free agent. Playing on a two-way contract guard has emerged as an offensive weapon off the bench for a Portland team that has won seven of its last 11 games.
Love is currently averaging 9.9 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists while averaging 20 minutes a game. However, Love has really blossomed during the last three weeks with increased playing time.
In the last seven games, Love is averaging 17.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists while shooting 47 percent from the field and 43 percent from 3-point range. The Trailblazers were 4-3 in those seven games. In the last 11 games, they have a 7-4 record.
Love had 16 points, five rebounds and two assists in a victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night. He scored 22 points and made six 3-pointers in a victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night. He also scored 24 points and made six 3-pointers in a victory over the Dallas Mavericks and 18 points and four 3-pointers in a win over the Boston Celtics.
A 2020 graduate of CBC, Love led the Cadets to a berth in the Class 6 state championship game in 2019. In 2020, he was selected to the McDonald’s All-American Team after a stellar senior season.