The Miami Heat forward, absent from the NBA playoffs, announced his father’s passing in a heartfelt post.
Former NBA player Stan Love, the father of Miami Heat forward Kevin Love, has died at age 76.
Love, 36, took to social media on April 27 to
announce his father’s passing, after missing his team’s playoff game against the Cleveland Cavaliers over the weekend citing “personal reasons.”
“Dad, you fought for a long time,” began his Instagram tribute. “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.”
“The words we continuously heard from you in your last chapter were how blessed you’ve been to have such a loving family. And in return how much you’ve loved your wife and kids. 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.”
Tributes began pouring in on the post, including from Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant, who played alongside Kevin Love on Team USA’s Men’s Basketball team during the 2012 London Olympic games.
“RIP Mr Stan. Pops always treated me like I was one of his own. What a great man. My condolences out to the family,” Durant
wrote.
At 6 feet 9 inches, Stan Love starred at Morningside High School in Inglewood, California, before playing
for the University of Oregon.
He
held the school’s one-year scoring record for 20 years and was
the only player to average more than 20 points per game in two seasons.“The Oregon basketball family mourns the passing of Stan Love and sends condolences to his friends and loved ones,” wrote the school’s men’s basketball team on X. In 1971, Stan was selected ninth overall by Baltimore in the NBA draft,
averaging 6.6 points and 3.9 rebounds in over 200 regular-season games throughout his career.
He spent four seasons with the Baltimore Bullets and Los Angeles Lakers, holding an NBA field goal shooting percentage of 44.0 percent.
Stan also played 12 games for San Antonio in the American Basketball Association, and in 1994 was inducted into the Oregon Hall of Fame.
“You have undoubtedly been my greatest teacher. A role often served by a Father figure,” wrote Kevin Love in his heartfelt tribute.
“Dad, I’m so proud to be your son. My only hope is that you’re proud of me. It was all I ever wanted. Thank you for everything.”
Kevin Love was not present for Game 4 of the NBA playoffs against the Cavaliers on Monday night. Cleveland won and eliminated the Heat.
