History of Kevin Love in Timeline

Kevin Love is a professional basketball player currently playing for the Miami Heat. A five-time All-Star, Love won an NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016. He earned a gold medal playing for the United States national team at both the 2010 FIBA World Championship and the 2012 Summer Olympics. He was named the NBA Most Improved Player in 2011 and led the league in rebounding that same year. He was also a two-time member of the All-NBA Second Team.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2008: Love stars in Gunnin' for That No. 1 Spot

In 2008, Kevin Love starred in the feature-length documentary Gunnin' for That No. 1 Spot.

Loading Video...

2009: Love on NCAA Basketball 09 cover

In 2009, Kevin Love appeared on the front cover of the video game NCAA Basketball 09.

2009: Love joins Hoops for St. Jude charity program

In 2009, Kevin Love became the first NBA player to join the Hoops for St. Jude charity program benefitting the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, after working with the hospital in his rookie season.

2011: Love signs with 361 Degrees

In 2011, Kevin Love signed a 6-year endorsement contract with the Chinese shoe company 361 Degrees.

July 7, 2012: Love makes the 2012 Olympic team

On July 7, 2012, Kevin Love was selected for the 2012 Olympic team.

October 17, 2012: Love injured hand, expected to miss time

On October 17, 2012, Kevin Love fractured the third and fourth metacarpals on his right hand during a workout and was expected to miss six to eight weeks of action.

2012: Love invests in 12Society

In 2012, Kevin Love became an investor in the lifestyle website 12Society.

2012: Love in Pepsi Max "Uncle Drew" ads

In 2012, Kevin Love participated in an internet advertising campaign by PepsiCo for Pepsi Max, featuring the "Uncle Drew" character played by Kyrie Irving. The ad became very popular, and PepsiCo released another commercial, "Uncle Drew: Chapter 2," co-starring Kevin Love.

2012: Love featured in My Life As An NBA Rookie

In 2012, Kevin Love was featured in the short documentary My Life As An NBA Rookie.

Loading Video...

January 3, 2013: Love refractured his shooting hand

On January 3, 2013, Kevin Love refractured his shooting hand in a game against the Denver Nuggets. The Timberwolves announced that the injury required surgery and that Love was expected to miss an additional eight to ten weeks.

February 22, 2014: Love recorded his first career triple double

On February 22, 2014, Kevin Love achieved his first career triple-double, recording 37 points, 12 rebounds, and a career-high 10 assists in a 121–104 victory over the Utah Jazz.

April 2, 2014: Love recorded his third career triple double

On April 2, 2014, Kevin Love recorded his third career triple-double with 24 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 102-88 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

August 23, 2014: Love traded to the Cavaliers

On August 23, 2014, Kevin Love was traded from the Timberwolves to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team trade. The Timberwolves received Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett from Cleveland, and Thaddeus Young from the Philadelphia 76ers. The Philadelphia 76ers received Luc Mbah a Moute and Alexey Shved from Minnesota and a 2015 first-round draft pick from Cleveland.

June 24, 2015: Love opted out of contract

On June 24, 2015, Kevin Love opted out of the final year of his contract, worth $16.7 million in 2015–16, to return to free agency.

July 9, 2015: Love re-signed with the Cavaliers

On July 9, 2015, Kevin Love re-signed with the Cavaliers on a five-year, $110 million contract.

November 23, 2015: Love scored season-high 34 points

On November 23, 2015, Kevin Love scored 27 of his season-high 34 points in the first half of the Cavaliers' 117–103 win over the Orlando Magic.

January 29, 2016: Love scores 29 points against Pistons

On January 29, 2016, Kevin Love had his best game since November 23, scoring 29 points on 9-of-19 shooting in a 114–106 win over the Detroit Pistons. In this game, Kevin Love, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving each reached 20 points.

September 2016: Love donates to UCLA Athletics

In September 2016, Kevin Love donated $1 million to UCLA Athletics, matching a gift by Russell Westbrook, to fund the construction of the Mo Ostin Basketball Center.

October 25, 2016: Love received championship ring

On October 25, 2016, after receiving his first championship ring before the season opener, Kevin Love recorded 23 points and 12 rebounds in a 117–88 win over the New York Knicks.

2016: Love becomes style ambassador for Banana Republic

In 2016, Kevin Love became the new style ambassador and campaign model for Banana Republic.

January 26, 2017: Love named an All-Star reserve

On January 26, 2017, Kevin Love was named an Eastern Conference All-Star reserve for the 2017 NBA All-Star Game.

February 14, 2017: Love underwent arthroscopic surgery

On February 14, 2017, Kevin Love underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove a loose body from his left knee, ruling him out for approximately six weeks and causing him to miss the All-Star Game.

October 17, 2017: Love scores 15 points in season opener

On October 17, 2017, in the Cavaliers' season opener, Kevin Love scored 15 points in a 102–99 win over the Boston Celtics, including a critical 3-pointer with 46.3 seconds remaining.

November 7, 2017: Love scores 32 points against Bucks

On November 7, 2017, Kevin Love had a then season-best game with 32 points and 16 rebounds in a 124–119 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.

November 2017: Love suffers a panic attack

In November 2017, Kevin Love experienced a panic attack during a game, which led him to seek therapy and later speak out about mental health.

November 28, 2017: Love scores 38 points against Heat

On November 28, 2017, Kevin Love scored 32 of his 38 points in the first half of the Cavaliers' 108–97 win over the Miami Heat. He scored 22 points in the first quarter and finished 10 of 16 from the field and 14 of 17 on free throws.

December 25, 2017: Love scores 31 points against Warriors

On December 25, 2017, Kevin Love had a game-high 31 points and a season-best 18 rebounds in a 99–92 loss to the Golden State Warriors.

January 30, 2018: Love fractured hand

On January 30, 2018, Kevin Love left the Cavaliers' game against the Detroit Pistons with a fracture in his left hand.

March 2018: Love reveals he's been seeing a therapist

In March 2018, Kevin Love revealed that he had been seeing a therapist for several months after experiencing a panic attack during a game in November 2017, inspired by DeMar DeRozan's openness about his own struggles with depression. Love also wrote an article entitled, "Everyone Is Going Through Something", in The Players' Tribune in March 2018.

April 1, 2018: Love recorded 400th career double-double

On April 1, 2018, Kevin Love recorded his 400th career double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds in a 98–87 win over the Dallas Mavericks.

July 24, 2018: Love signed a four-year extension with Cavaliers

On July 24, 2018, Kevin Love signed a four-year, $120 million extension with the Cavaliers.

August 2018: Love advocates for mental health awareness

In August 2018, Kevin Love continued his advocacy for mental health awareness by discussing his family's history of depression and his personal struggles with anxiety, rage, and "dark times." He also committed to starting a foundation focused on mental health, particularly for young boys.

2018: Love establishes Kevin Love Fund

In 2018, Kevin Love established the Kevin Love Fund to provide resources and assistance for people to improve their physical and emotional well-being, aiming to help over 1 billion people in five years. Early beneficiaries included programs for high school students and the UCLA Athletics Department.

2018: Uncle Drew Movie Release

In 2018, Theatrical movie Uncle Drew released. Love was not part of that production.

Loading Video...

February 8, 2019: Love returned to action after foot surgery

On February 8, 2019, Kevin Love returned to action after missing 50 games due to foot surgery. He started and played the first six minutes against the Washington Wizards, scoring four points, before not returning to the game.

March 12, 2020: Love donates to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse support staff

On March 12, 2020, Kevin Love's fund donated $100,000 to the support staff of Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse who were unable to work during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. He was joined by Andre Drummond, who donated an additional $60,000.

April 26, 2020: Love sends lunches to Cleveland Clinic staff

On April 26, 2020, Kevin Love's fund sent a truckload of lunches to the staff of the Cleveland Clinic's Medical Intensive Care Unit and COVID-19 testing sites. Love also personally thanked the healthcare workers via FaceTime.

June 22, 2020: Love pledges $500,000 to UCLA's psychology department

On June 22, 2020, Kevin Love announced that his fund was pledging $500,000, matched by the UCLA Centennial Term Chair Match, to establish the Kevin Love Fund Chair in UCLA's psychology department. The $1 million investment will support a scholar focused on anxiety and depression.

January 31, 2021: Love gets engaged to Kate Bock

On January 31, 2021, Kevin Love got engaged to Canadian model Kate Bock after dating for nearly five years.

May 12, 2021: Love scored season-high 30 points

On May 12, 2021, Kevin Love logged his fifth double-double of the season with a season-high 30 points and 14 rebounds in a 102–94 win over the Boston Celtics, ending the Cavaliers' 11-game losing streak.

December 31, 2021: Love scores 35 points against Hawks

On December 31, 2021, against the Atlanta Hawks, Kevin Love scored 35 points on 10-for-18 shooting, including a 7-for-14 on 3-pointers, for his highest-scoring game in over four seasons.

June 25, 2022: Love marries Kate Bock

On June 25, 2022, Kevin Love married Kate Bock at the New York Public Library in New York City.

February 18, 2023: Love Agreed to Contract Buyout with Cavaliers

On February 18, 2023, Kevin Love and the Cavaliers officially agreed to a contract buyout, making him a free agent. Before the buyout, he was averaging 8.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists with the team.

February 20, 2023: Love signs with the Miami Heat

On February 20, 2023, Kevin Love signed with the Miami Heat, marking a new chapter in his NBA career.

June 2023: Bock and Love welcome their first child

In June 2023, during the NBA Finals, Kate Bock gave birth to her and Kevin Love's first child.

July 6, 2023: Love re-signs with the Heat

On July 6, 2023, Kevin Love re-signed with the Miami Heat on a two-year, $7.9 million contract, which included a player option for the second year.

2023: Love plans to return to Cleveland to retire

In 2023, Kevin Love expressed his intention to return to Cleveland before retiring, stating he is "definitely open to coming back and retiring" with the Cavaliers.

June 30, 2024: Love declines player option and re-signs with Miami

On June 30, 2024, Kevin Love declined his player option with the Miami Heat. A week later he again re-signed with Miami on a two-year, $8 million contract.

September 2024: Tristan Thompson re-signs

In September 2024, Tristan Thompson, a former teammate from the 2015-16 championship team, re-signed with the Cavaliers after initially returning to the team months prior.