Caleb Love De-Commits from Michigan: What is Next for the Former UNC guard?
Basketball writer and content creator Nick Andre takes a look at Caleb Love’s de-commitment from Michigan. Love is one of the top guards in the transfer portal and an immediate impact player.
University of North Carolina guard Caleb Love has officially de-committed from Michigan to re-enter his name into the transfer portal. The senior guard made his decision to join the Wolverines a month ago but decided to opt out following the news of Hunter Dickinson committing to Kansas. The question that revolves around Love is where will he land next?
It’s been a journey for Love during his collegiate career. He played a big role in the Tar Heels reaching the National Championship in 2022 before falling short to the Jayhawks. Since that point, North Carolina finished the 2022–23 season with a 20–13 record and missed the NCAA Tournament. It seems as if the relationship between Love and the program is estranged, which plays a role in why he entered the transfer portal.
During an interview before his commitment to Michigan, Love stated how he wants to join a program with a coaching staff who will help continue his development. “I want to be coached” Love explained in the interview. He also explains that he wants to be a part of a program that will hold him accountable for his play on the court. As he looked to become a member of the Wolverines, Love believed head coach Juwan Howard could play a big role in his growth as a player.
As Love headed into his freshman season at North Carolina, many insiders expected him to be one-and-done. However, that hasn’t been the case. The point guard is an elite combo player but has struggled with efficiency. Through three seasons, Love has averaged 14.6 points on 36 percent shooting from the floor. During the season, there were eight games where Love shot less than 30 percent from the floor. He can light up the floor like none other but must learn to take better-quality shots in the process. Despite his inefficiency, Love continued to lead the way offensively alongside RJ Davis in the backcourt for North Carolina.
As Love looks into his next move, the question he should ask himself is how can he grow as an overall basketball player. With three years of college basketball under his belt, it should be his duty to set the tone for the team and become more of a vocal leader. A few schools that are interested in Love include Indiana, Memphis, Missouri, and others. Love’s explosiveness on offense will certainly provide a spark for his new team. However, he must use his experience at UNC to continue building a winning culture with the next program.
