Former Chicago Bulls forward Bob Love, a three-time All-Star who played 11 years in the NBA, died Monday at the age of 81. The Bulls said Love died after a long battle with cancer.
Bob Love was selected 33rd overall by the Cincinnati Royals in the 1965 NBA draft out of Southern University
Love was selected 33rd overall by the Cincinnati Royals in the fourth round of the 1965 NBA draft out of Southern University. However, he failed to make the team, and the 6-foot-8 wing instead spent the 1965-66 season in the Eastern Basketball League.
“With his No. 10 jersey hanging in the United Center rafters, his on-court achievements are forever etched in history, but Bob’s impact transcended basketball,” the Bulls said in a statement.
Bob Love, a high school state champion in basketball & football, played minor league hoops for $50 a game before joining the Bulls, becoming a 3x All-Star & 3x All-Defensive team selection.
📰 | @SamSmithHoops on Bob Love:https://t.co/UyDrmvynbl
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) November 19, 2024
“He became an inspirational figure and a passionate community ambassador for the Bulls, dedicating himself to charitable causes and uplifting countless lives with his motivational speeches. We are profoundly grateful for his enduring contributions and legacy both on and off the court in Chicago.”
Love, who was a native of Bastrop, Louisiana, won the EBL Rookie of the Year Award after averaging over 25 points per game. He then tried out for the Royals once more and made the team.
Milwaukee Bucks traded Love and Bob Weiss to the Chicago Bulls for Flynn Robinson in 1968
According to Basketball-Reference, Love spent 2½ seasons (1966-68) with the Royals and played just 14 games with the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1968-69 season after the NBA expansion draft.
In November 1968, the Bucks traded Love and Bob Weiss to the Bulls for Flynn Robinson. Love played nine seasons (1968-76) with Chicago. He was an All-Star for three straight seasons in 1970-73. Plus, he ranks third on the Bulls’ all-time scoring list with 12,623 points.
We mourn the passing of Bob Love, who passed away today in Chicago at the age of 81 after a long battle with cancer. pic.twitter.com/3EBUO9UTmp
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) November 19, 2024
“Bob is one of the original Bulls greats,” Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf wrote in a statement. “During his nine seasons with the Bulls, Bob became a cornerstone of the franchise. … His tenacious defense set high standards for competition and toughness.
“Toughness was not only a trademark of Bob’s play on the court but also apparent in his resiliency throughout his basketball career. … The countless lives he touched through his work in the community will keep him in our memories forever.”
Love received two All-NBA Second-Team honors, three NBA All-Defensive Second-Team selections with Bulls
Love averaged a team-high and career-best 25.8 points during the 1971-72 season. Additionally, he scored a career-high 49 points in back-to-back wins against Milwaukee and the Kansas City-Omaha Kings in February 1973.
In November 1976, the Bulls traded Love to the New York Nets for a 1977 second-round draft pick (Mike Glenn was later selected). He retired with the Seattle SuperSonics following the 1976-77 season.
Per NBA.com, in 789 career regular-season games (444 starts), he averaged 17.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 31.8 minutes per contest. He also averaged 42.9% shooting from the field and 80.5% at the free throw line.
In January 1994, Love became the second player in franchise history to have his number retired by the Bulls, joining Jerry Sloan. He was part of the team’s inaugural Ring of Honor class this year in January.
Love was one of 14 children and was reportedly the only sibling to attend college. He was a two-time NAIA All-American (1963, 1965) at Southern University as well. The Jaguars retired his No. 41 on Jan. 7, 2012.
He graduated with a bachelor of science degree in food and nutrition. According to The Associated Press, he was nicknamed “Butterbean” because he was fond of lima beans.
There is a historical marker to Love in Baton Rouge.
