CHAPEL HILL, NC – Guard from North Carolina caleb love returns to school for his junior season and chooses not to enter the NBA draft process after his rise to national prominence in the NCAA tournament. The St. Louis, Missouri native announced the decision on Sunday.
“The opportunity to play in North Carolina is something I never take for granted,” Love said in a Video posted on social media. “Playing for the largest fanbase in the world, playing with the greatest teammates I could ever imagine, and playing for coaches who support and challenge me in every way are all blessings that make me feel so lucky…
“I’m back.”
Love – who carved his name into March Madness lore with a dagger 3 pointer over the outstretched hand of ACC Defensive Player of the Year Mark Williams, who would pass UNC to Duke with 25 seconds left in the Final Four – joins the big first team at man Armando Bacot and All-ACC defenseman Leaky Black, both of whom announced their returns last week, did point guard RJ Davis on Saturday. With four starters back from a team that made the national championship game, UNC is expected to be a consensus top-five team in the 2022-23 preseason polls.
“Caleb’s passion for this team and this program motivates and drives him to win a national championship and ultimately have a long, successful career in the NBA,” said UNC head coach Hubert Davis in a press release. “No one is better at taking and making big shots under pressure. He’s one of the most talented players I’ve ever seen and I’m really looking forward to coaching him for another season.”
Love averaged 15.9 points per game, with 37.1% shooting from the floor and 36% from the 3-point line. He averaged 3.6 assists per game and shot 86.3% from the foul line. UNC was 14-0 when he had five assists or more. He received All-ACC Honorable Mention honors and was named to the Final Four and All-East regional teams.
The 6-foot-4, 195-pound combo guard was equal parts sporadic and riveting in his sophomore season, enduring extreme ups and downs but always willing to take — and make — key baskets in crunch time. He scored 14 points in the final 2:23 of regulation and overtime to lead UNC past Syracuse on Senior Night, and downed a 3-pointer go-ahead with 7.2 seconds left. Love scored a layup and made two free throws in the final 31 seconds to secure a home win over Louisville. He also drilled a go-ahead 3 pointer by 36 seconds to play on Clemson before driving and driving Brady Manek for the winning basket by 3.1 seconds.
At the NCAA tournament, love was even better. He opened the event with 21 first-half points against Marquette, tying the school record for most 3-pointers in a game (6). He then was elite in the Sweet 16 win over UCLA and had 27 career points. high 30 points after halftime. The combo guard then had 22 points after halftime in the Final Four win over Duke.
A key area of improvement for Love will be finishing on the edge. The sophomore scored 38% with two-pointers that season, but that percentage dropped to 34% in the ACC game.