Former Arizona standout Caleb Love will return to McKale Center on Saturday to be formally inducted into the program's Ring of Honor during halftime of the Arizona-Texas Tech game.
Love, who qualified for the Ring of Honor by winning the 2024 Pac-12 Player of the Year award, wasn't taken in the 2025 NBA Draft after two seasons with the Wildcats but made the Portland Trail Blazers' roster and has opened eyes as a rookie this season.
Love is averaging 22.4 minutes in 44 games, scoring an average of 11.3 points on 39.1% shooting.
"He's had a journey that's been well documented, and we don't need to rehash that, but he came here to Arizona, a place that was able to kind of give him a second chance at it, and he crushed it," UA coach Tommy Lloyd said. "He didn't get drafted, which is maybe a debatable decision by a lot of people, but I think he's proven his worth."
Even as doubts rose over Love's shooting efficiency and role as a smaller shooting guard, Lloyd said last summer that he was convinced Love would make it on to an NBA roster
"I just felt like his skill set really translated to the NBA game," Lloyd said. "I thought what he has been through is going to serve him well, because he's had the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. A lot of times when a young player goes to the NBA, they haven't yet experienced the lowest of lows."
Although he was a Final Four hero for North Carolina in 2021-22, Love became a scapegoat of sorts the following season when the Tar Heels drastically underachieved. But Lloyd said he never had a problem with Love at Arizona.
Portland Trail Blazers guard Caleb Love (2) drives down the court in the second half against the Detroit Pistons, Dec. 22, 2025, in Portland, Ore.ย
"Caleb's a super mature guy. He always has been," Lloyd said. "I never had one issue, maturity issue, behavioral issue, anything coaching Caleb in two years. He was awesome, and I'm super proud of what he's doing. I think it's gonna be really cool to have him come back this weekend and give him a big hug."
During a press conference Thursday, Lloyd also he "heard a rumor" that Mix Master Mike will appear at the pregame "Bear Down Bash" outside McKale on Saturday. ย Mix Master Mike, known for being the DJ for the Beastie Boys, is a friend of Lloyd and was present at Lloyd's press conference.ย
Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd, moonlighting as DJ Tomm-E, and DJ Mix Master Mike cranks out some music for the crowd at the Red-Blue Post/Move after party concert on Bear Down Field, October 3, 2025, Tucson, Ariz.
Mix Master Mike is expected to appear in McKale during ESPN's GameDay morning show and during the Bear Down Bash event on the lawn outside the north end of McKale. He appeared on stage following UA's preseason Red-Blue Showcase in October.
