Arizona star Love returning for 5th year

Caleb Love is withdrawing from the NBA draft and returning to Arizona for his final year of college eligibility, he announced Wednesday on social media.

Players had until Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. ET to remove their name from the draft and return to school.

Love's return is a big boost for Tommy Lloyd's program, which lost starters Kylan Boswell and Oumar Ballo in the transfer portal. The Wildcats offset those key offseason departures by adding Horizon League Player of the Year Trey Townsend from Oakland and high-scoring guard Anthony Dell'Orso from Campbell.

Arizona is also bringing in the No. 19 overall recruit and McDonald's All-American forward Carter Bryant.

Love had a strong debut campaign in Tuscon, averaging a career-high 18 points, 4.8 boards, 3.4 assists, and 1.2 steals across 36 appearances. The 6-foot-4 guard earned Pac-12 Player of the Year honors and was an AP All-American third-team selection. However, Arizona's 2023-24 season came to a disappointing end in the Sweet 16 versus Clemson.

Love previously played three seasons at North Carolina, helping lead the Tar Heels to the national championship game as a sophomore.