Former NBA player Stan Love, the father of Miami Heat forward and Cleveland Cavaliers legend Kevin Love, has died. He was 76.
Stan’s death was announced by Kevin in an Instagram post Sunday night.
“Dad, you fought for a long time,” Kevin wrote. “The hardest stretch being these past 6 months. The most painful to witness being these last few weeks. And even at the end as you continued to deteriorate – I still saw you as a Giant. My Protector. My first Hero. Your only wish was to be at home surrounded by your family when you took your dying breath. That breath came. And now it’s time to rest,” he added.
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Stan, a 6-foot-9 forward who starred at the University of Oregon, was drafted by the then-Baltimore Bullets with the ninth pick in the 1971 NBA Draft. He played two seasons for the Bullets, averaging 7.2 points and 4.4 rebounds in 15.9 minutes per game.
After two seasons in Baltimore, Love was traded to his hometown Los Angeles Lakers. He played one-plus season for the Lakers from 1973-75, and part of one season with the ABA’s San Antonio Spurs in 1975. For his four-year NBA career with the Bullets and Lakers, Love averaged 6.6 points and 3.9 rebounds in 14.7 minutes across 239 games.
Stan is the younger brother of Beach Boys singer Mike Love.
“I guess I am still in shock; although he’d battled significant health issues for so long, I never thought I’d lose him,” Mike wrote in an Instagram post Monday. “I really thought we would be here together; reality is not what I thought or hoped for.
“My big younger brother, you called me the superstar, but to me you are the superstar!! You always had my back! I am blessed to be your brother. I will cherish our lives spent together, whether spoofing on each other or reliving memories. I know you’re on the big court now, pounding down 3’s; don’t foul out, bro. Give Mom & Dad a hug from me. Until we meet again, I love you, Brother, for eternity,” he added.
Kevin has been away from the Heat for personal reasons and will not play in Game 4 against Cleveland on Monday in Miami. He last played March 21.
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Kevin, in his 17th NBA season, played eight-plus seasons for the Cavaliers from 2014-23. He helped lead Cleveland to four consecutive NBA Finals appearances from 2015-18, including winning the 2016 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors. He is a five-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA honoree.
