Caleb Love becomes sixth UNC player to enter the transfer portal; 5 returning scholarship players remain

By R.L. Bynum

The Caleb Love Experience is shifting to another school.

After three seasons at Carolina, Love announced on social media on Monday that he’s entering the transfer portal.

“I’ve taken some time with my family to re-evaluate what’s best for me to continue to grow as a player and I’ve decided to enter the transfer portal to continue my journey,” Love said in a post on social media.

He is the sixth UNC player to enter the transfer portal after Justin McKoy, Tyler Nickel, Dontrez Styles, Puff Johnson and Will Shaver. It leaves Carolina with four open roster spots after Brown transfer Paxton Wojcik committed to UNC later Monday.

A logical landing spot for Love would be Missouri since he grew up in St. Louis.

“My time at UNC has been rewarding and has inspired me to grow on and off the court. I’m extremely thankful to God for this journey,” Love said who was the target on social media of plenty of criticism from the fanbase.

There was plenty of debate among Tar Heels fans about Love after he shot 29.9% from 3-point range last season while attempting a team-high 244 shots from outside the arc (RJ Davis attempted the second-most with 174). He averaged more turnovers (2.4 per game) than 3-pointers (2.2).

Love is third in program history in 3-point attempts (630), ninth in 3-pointers (200) and 17th in free-throw percentage (81.5). He made at least one 3-pointer in 85 games, including a school-record 45 consecutive games.

Love scored a career-high 34 points in the four-overtime loss to Alabama. Two of his four top scoring games were against Duke, 29 in last season’s win in the Final Four when he hit a huge 3-pointer late in the game, and 25 in a win at Duke on Feb. 6, 2021. He scored 30 in UNC’s regional semifinal victory last season over UCLA.

Love scored a career-high six 3-pointers four times, against UCLA and Marquette in last season’s NCAA tournament, at home this past season against Clemson and against Florida State on Feb. 12, 2022.

He finished his career at Carolina averaging 14.6 points per game over three years, including 16.7 last season.

Key events, dates

April 27 (at 11:59 p.m. ET) — Deadline for players to submit their names to the NBA draft
May 1 — Transfer portal closes
May 11–12 — NBA G League Elite Camp in Chicago
May 12–19 — NBA Combine in Chicago
May 17–19 — Evaluation for high school players at NCAA-certified events (EYBL in Indianapolis is on those)


Potential 2024-25 UNC men’s roster

No.ClassPlayerPos.HgtWgt
FreshmanJames Brown (4 star)56–8225
FreshmanIan Jackson (5 star)26–4180
FreshmanDrake Powell (5 star)26–5185
2Soph.Elliot Cadeau PG6–1180
1Soph.Zayden High46–9225
13JuniorJalen Washington56–10230
55SeniorHarrison Ingram 46–7235
Eligible for fifth season
5GraduateRJ DavisPG6–0180
24GraduateJae’Lyn Withers 46–9215
Walk-ons eligible for 5th season
14GraduateCreighton LeboPG6–1180
22GraduateRob Landry26–4190

2023–24 UNC players to enter transfer portal

ClassPlayerDate enteredPos.Hgt.Next school
SeniorJames OkonkwoApril 5F6–8Akron
JuniorSeth TrimbleApril 9G6–3TBA

1 Comment

  1. This may be addition through subtraction. There is opportunity for the remaining players to be great next year, plus with a few additional transfers it could be a great year.

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