Arizona guard Caleb Love declares for NBA Draft while maintaining eligibility to return to school

God’s plan…🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/yo8QlWcGqB

— Caleb Love (@caleb2love) April 16, 2024

He'll have until May 29, or 10 days after the NBA Combine, to decide whether to stay in the draft or return to school. Love did not mention that he was also entering the transfer portal, suggesting he would remain a Wildcat if he does not stay in the draft.

After transferring to Arizona from North Carolina last spring after three seasons with the Tar Heels, Love was named Pac-12 Player of the Year as a fourth-year senior while proving a prolific scorer who was sometimes streaky from the perimeter.

Love averaged 18.0 points and 4.2 rebounds for the season while shooting 33.2% from 3-point range, tying the Matthew Knight Arena scoring record with 36 points at Oregon, but he hit a late-season slump.

Love averaged 11.5 points and shot 20% from 3-point range over Arizona's final six games. In UA's final three losses, at USC and to Oregon and Clemson, he averaged 7.0 points and hit just 1 of 22 3-pointers.

"I'm filled with gratitude for such an amazing experience to play at the University of Arizona," Love posted. "I would like to give a heartfelt thank you to coach Tommy Lloyd and the entire U of A coaching staff for embracing me and giving me this remarkable opportunity to become a Wildcat. I'm forever grateful!"

Love also thanked God and his family, while saying he and his family have spent some "much-needed time" to think about what's next for him.

Because he played in 2020-21, Love still has his "COVID" year of eligibility remaining if he wants to return for a fifth season of college basketball. He is not on ESPN's list of the top 100 prospects for the 60-pick draft but might be able to gain a two-way contract.

If Love is not in position to get drafted or sign a two-way deal between the NBA and G League, he might receive more money by returning to college basketball considering the current NIL marketplace.

Players have until 8:59 p.m. on April 27 to declare for early NBA Draft entry. Seniors who still have college eligibility remaining because of their COVID years must declare for early entry.

In order to return to college, players must withdraw from the draft by 8:59 p.m. on May 29 under an NCAA rule that requires them to withdraw 10 days after the NBA Combine, which will be held from May 12-19 this year.

UA wing Pelle Larsson is also expected to enter the draft, since he is a projected second-round pick, whether or not he makes a public announcement.

Arizona's expected 2024-25 roster as of now:

Player, Class, Pos., Ht., Wt., Hometown

Jaden Bradley, Jr., G, 6-3, 200, Rochester, N.Y.

Carter Bryant, Fr,. F, 6-8, 225, Riverside, Calif.

Motiejus Krivas, So., C, 7-2, 260, Siauliai, Lithuania

KJ Lewis, So., G, 6-4, 205, El Paso

*Caleb Love, Sr,. 6-4, 205, St. Louis

Conrad Martinez, So., G, 6-0, 165, Granollers, Spain

Jamari Phillips, Fr,. G, 6-3, 190, Stockton, Calif.

Joson Sanon, Fr., G, 6-5, 190, Fall River, Mass.

Emmanuel Stephen, Fr,. C, 7-0, 215, Lagos, Nigeria

Henri Veesaar, Jr., F, 7-0, 225, Tallinn, Estonia

* Entered NBA Draft with option to return

Transferring Dayton wing Koby Brea says Arizona is one of 17 schools to reach out, according to On3's Jamie Shaw. Brea, who hit 4 of 8 3-pointers during Arizona's 78-68 win over Dayton in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, played four seasons for the Flyers but also has his COVID year available. 

Dayton grad transfer Koby Brea tells @On3sports the following schools have been in contact since entering the Transfer Portal last night…KansasUConnDukeIndianaArkansasLouisvilleOregonPenn StateMississippi StateMiamiIllinoisTexas TechArizonaTexas A&MXavierSt.… https://t.co/zWCnvTXVUc pic.twitter.com/QYJFVXpt7M

— Jamie Shaw (@JamieShaw5) April 16, 2024

The Wildcats have also been in contact with former Oregon State standout wing Jordan Pope, who hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to beat them in Corvallis on Jan. 25.