Caleb Love, the dynamic guard who made waves in college basketball, is set to begin his professional career with the Portland Trail Blazers after signing a two-way contract as an undrafted free agent. The signing, confirmed by ESPN's Shams Charania on June 26, 2025, marks a significant milestone for Love, who spent five seasons honing his craft at the collegiate level, first with the North Carolina Tar Heels and then with the Arizona Wildcats.
Love's journey to the NBA has been marked by notable achievements and challenges alike. After three seasons at North Carolina, where he played a pivotal role in leading the Tar Heels to the national championship game as a sophomore, Love transferred to Arizona for his final two seasons. His impact was immediate and profound, culminating in earning the Pac-12 Player of the Year award in 2024 and First-Team All-Big 12 honors in the 2024-25 season. During that final collegiate campaign, Love averaged an impressive 17.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 39.8% from the field and 34.0% from beyond the arc over 37 games.
Despite these numbers, Love went undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft, a surprise to some given his scoring prowess and experience. His career field goal percentage of 38% and three-point shooting at 32.6% have often been cited as concerns, alongside critiques of his shot selection and occasional inconsistency. Nevertheless, Love's ability to deliver in high-pressure moments is well documented. Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd expressed unwavering confidence in Love's professional prospects, stating, "Caleb is going to be in the NBA next year, 100 percent." This sentiment was echoed by observers noting Love's standout performances in the NCAA Tournament, including a 35-point game against Duke in the Sweet Sixteen and a 29-point outing in Seattle during the Round of 32 against Oregon.
Joining the Trail Blazers places Love in an intriguing position. Portland finished the 2024-25 NBA season with a 36-46 record, missing the playoffs but boasting a young and promising backcourt. Love will be competing alongside former Arizona center Deandre Ayton and backcourt talents such as Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, and Scoot Henderson. The Blazers’ coaching staff, led by former collegiate star and guard Chauncey Billups, offers a fitting environment for Love to develop his game at the professional level.
Love's signing is part of the Blazers' strategy to bolster their roster with young, talented players eager to prove themselves. He joins Sidy Cissoko as the team’s two-way players, with both expected to participate in the upcoming NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. This platform will be crucial for Love to showcase how his collegiate skills translate to the NBA, especially given his reputation for streaky shooting and the need to improve efficiency.
Throughout his college career, Love has been known for his scoring ability, averaging over 15 points per game in each of his last four seasons. His 2024-25 season was statistically his best, featuring a career-best free throw percentage of 88.9%. However, his overall shooting efficiency and shot selection have been areas of concern for scouts and analysts alike. Love's tendency to take contested threes early in the shot clock has drawn criticism, contributing to his lower shooting percentages. Still, his high-scoring games in critical tournament moments underscore his potential as a clutch performer.
The transition from college to professional basketball is often challenging, and Love's undrafted status adds an extra layer of motivation. His journey reflects the unpredictability of the draft process and the importance of perseverance. As Javier Morales of AllSportsTucson.com highlighted, "Caleb Love not drafted has to fuel his fire. Tommy Lloyd made a point recently in a presser that Love had 35 points against Duke in the NCAA tournament which exemplifies his big-game mentality and ability (which he first showed in the Final Four with North Carolina)." This big-game mentality will be essential as Love seeks to carve out a role with the Trail Blazers.
Love's first opportunities to impress the Blazers’ coaching staff and fanbase will come during the Summer League, where his ability to contribute on both ends of the court will be under the microscope. Portland's young roster and recent struggles offer a potential opening for Love to earn meaningful minutes, especially if he can demonstrate improved shot selection and consistency.
For the Trail Blazers, adding a scorer like Love aligns with their goal of retooling around emerging talent. The presence of Deandre Ayton and the promising backcourt core suggests the team is building toward a competitive future, and Love's signing adds depth and scoring potential.
Looking back, Love's collegiate career was punctuated by memorable moments, including a game-winning shot for North Carolina in Coach K's final game against Duke, a testament to his clutch performance under pressure. His move to Arizona further showcased his scoring ability and leadership, leading the Wildcats to the Big 12 championship game and a Sweet Sixteen appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
As Love embarks on his professional journey, the coming months will be pivotal. His performance in the Summer League and training camp will determine his role with the Trail Blazers and set the tone for his NBA career. While the path from undrafted free agent to established NBA player is steep, Love's proven scoring talent and competitive spirit give him a chance to succeed.
The Portland Trail Blazers and their fans will be watching closely to see if Caleb Love can translate his collegiate success into the professional ranks, bringing his scoring flair and big-game mindset to the NBA stage.
