North Carolina Tar Heels guard Caleb Love has been a big part of the team's success over the years. With Love's junior season coming to an end, many are wondering what his NBA draft stock is.
Love has shown that he can put up big numbers on a nightly basis. After averaging 15.9 points per game as a sophomore, Love saw his scoring average jump to 16.7 ppg this season. At 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, Love has the ideal frame to intrigue teams at the NBA level.
There are still questions surrounding his efficiency. He shot just 37.8% this season, including 29.9% from 3-point range.
There are still questions surrounding Love when it comes to his intentions for the upcoming season. With North Carolina getting upperclassmen RJ Davis and Armando Bacot to return, some are wondering if Love could spend another year working on his craft at Chapel Hill.
Examining North Carolina guard Caleb Love's draft stock
Just over a year ago, Caleb Love was making noise for the North Carolina Tar Heels during their impressive 2022 NCAA Tournament run.
It was an impressive five-game stretch for Love, one that saw him average 20.0 ppg while shooting 42.7%, leading the Tar Heels to a spot in the national championship game. Many wondered if Love should have parlayed that momentum into putting his name in the 2022 NBA draft.
Regardless, the player returned to Chapel Hill for another year with North Carolina to better improve his draft stock. That gamble backfired, as Love and the team had a disappointing 2022-23 season after being ranked No. 1 in the preseason.
The jury is still out when it comes to Caleb Love's draft projection if he declares for the 2023 NBA draft. While Love has the tools to be an intriguing floor general at the next level, his efficiency as a shooter has raised plenty of questions.
For now, the 6-foot-4 guard looks like a player who could hear his name called somewhere within the late second round of the draft.
With North Carolina returning a number of intriguing pieces, he could return to the Tar Heels to gamble on himself yet again. If he doesn't, it could be an uphill battle for Love to impress teams enough throughout the predraft process.
Dawn Staley, Geno Auriemma, or Kim Mulkey - who is NCAAW's highest-paid coach? Find out here