UCLA Basketball: Ranking the Bruins Selected in the NBA Draft in the Last 10 Years
2. Kevin Love 2008-present
Played for the Minnesota Timberwolves and is currently with the Cleveland Cavaliers
The rumor is that Ben Howland cried when Kevin Love, a 5-star center out of Lake Oswego Oregon, chose UCLA for his college career.
There was a ton a buzz about Love from his videos of breaking backwards to his dominance around the rim to his outlet passes. Love seemed to be the essential piece that would help the UCLA Basketball team not only stay elite, but also try to get them a championship. The Bruins were successful and once again returned to the Final Four, but lost when they ran into a stingy Billy Donovan Florida team that has had UCLA’s number in the NCAA tournament.
Despite pleas from fans, Love elected to go pro after one season, which many already expected. He had the height, skill and IQ to do good things in the NBA.
Love was selected fifth overall in the 2008 NBA draft by Memphis but was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. He spent six seasons there before being traded to Cleveland. This move was prompted by the return of LeBron James to the Cavaliers in hopes that it would help build a championship team.
Well as we saw this past week, that effort has paid off as Love and the Cavaliers claimed Cleveland’s first ever NBA championship.
Next: He Had His Own Night