CHICAGO — Former Chicago Bulls ahead Bob Love, a three-time All-Star who spent 11 years within the NBA, died Monday. He was 81.
The Bulls stated Love died after an extended battle with most cancers.
Love averaged 21.3 factors and 6.8 rebounds throughout his 9 seasons with the group.
“With his No. 10 jersey hanging in the United Center rafters, his on-court achievements are forever etched in history, but Bob’s impact transcended basketball,” the Bulls stated in a press release. “He became an inspirational figure and a passionate community ambassador for the Bulls, dedicating himself to charitable causes and uplifting countless lives with his motivational speeches. We are profoundly grateful for his enduring contributions and legacy both on and off the court in Chicago.”
Rising up in northern Louisiana, Love was one in every of 14 kids. He was nicknamed “Butterbean” as a result of he favored lima beans.
The 6-foot-8 Love starred at Southern College in Baton Rouge earlier than he was chosen by Cincinnati within the fourth spherical of the 1965 NBA draft. He performed for the Royals for 2 seasons earlier than he was taken by Milwaukee within the growth draft in 1968.
“Bob is one of the original Bulls greats,” Bulls proprietor Jerry Reinsdorf wrote in a press release. “Throughout his 9 seasons with the Bulls, Bob grew to become a cornerstone of the franchise, and his tenacious protection set excessive requirements for competitors and toughness.
“Toughness was not only a trademark of Bob’s play on the court but also apparent in his resiliency throughout his basketball career. His impact on the Bulls and the countless lives he touched through his work in the community will keep him in our memories forever.”
Love and Bob Weiss had been traded to Chicago in November 1968 for Flynn Robinson. With the Bulls, Love developed into one of many NBA’s greatest forwards.
Love was an All-Star for 3 straight seasons from 1970-73. He averaged a team-high and career-best 25.8 factors throughout the 1971-72 season.
Love retired after the 1976-77 season. He averaged 17.6 factors and 5.9 rebounds in 789 profession video games, additionally taking part in for the Nets and Seattle SuperSonics.
In January 1994, Love grew to become the second participant in franchise historical past to have his quantity retired by the Bulls, becoming a member of Jerry Sloan.
Love was a part of the group’s inaugural Ring of Honor class this 12 months in January.