UNC Basketball: G-League wants Caleb Love, but he’s committed to UNC

The NBA G-League reached out to 5-star UNC basketball recruit Caleb Love, but he’s committed to playing at the college level.

The NBA G-League is becoming an increasingly attractive option for the nation’s top-ranked basketball recruits thanks to a new initiative that allows elite players who are at least 18 years old to make $125,000 for a five-month season. And players ranked at the very top of their recruiting class have the opportunity to make even more.

Jalen Green, for example, the No.3-ranked prospect in the 247Sports Composite for 2020, stands to make upwards of a half-million dollars during his brief minor league stint before entering the 2021 NBA Draft. Two other 5-star recruits, former Michigan commit Isaiah Todd and former UCLA commit Daishen Nix, have also decided to take the G-League route rather than spend a year in college before turning pro.

That makes three high school players this year that are ranked inside the top-15 that have chosen to skip college for an alternative path that earns them a nice paycheck, and better preparation for the professional game. That number will likely increase in the years to come, despite the NCAA’s reluctant attempt at finally changing its bylaws to allow college players to make money off of endorsements and likenesses.

One player that the G-League won’t get this season is North Carolina’s Caleb Love. The 5-star recruit has been approached by the NBA’s minor league system, but he’s committed to playing the college game before making any such jump to the professional level.

"“Yes, a representative for the G-League reached out to us,” Love’s father, Dennis, said. “But we’re committed to the college path and Caleb is very excited to start his career at North Carolina. He’s really excited to get to Chapel Hill and play for Roy Williams as well as experience the Carolina family culture.”"

That’s good news for a UNC squad that was short on healthy guards last season, and bid farewell to former 5-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American Cole Anthony. Love will be the floor general for a North Carolina team that returns a pair of the nation’s top big men in Garrison Brooks and Armando Bacot, and welcomes in a six-man recruiting class that features a tremendous front court duo and excellent guard play.

A gifted scorer and facilitator, Love can play either position in the back court, offering the 2020-21 Tar Heels more versatility and depth than they had a season ago. And while he’s still a score-first point guard, he’s rounding into a solid passer that can set his teammates up in good position to get buckets. He’s capable of playing in the half court, or leading the Tar Heels’ fast-paced, run-and-gun offense. But if it’s scoring that North Carolina fans want to see from their point guard, Love is a perfect fit for the Tar Heels.

Stick with Keeping It Heel for all the latest on the Tar Heels’ incoming freshman class, and everything UNC basketball.