Caleb Love made UNC basketball fans everywhere proud with breakout NBA game

The journey for Caleb Love hasn't been an easy one by any means, but Friday night proved that it was all worth it.

Playing on a two-way contract with the Portland Trail Blazers, Love, the former UNC basketball standout, put together a career night in the team's NBA Cup Group Play victory over the Golden State Warriors. Love set new career-highs in points (26), three-pointers made (6), and assists (5) while tying his career high in rebounds (7).

Caleb Love is clutch once again

Tar Heel fans are quite aware that Love is not afraid of the big-time moments, as he is always ready to put up a shot in pressure situations.

We all remember this legendary shot, one that UNC basketball fans have likely watched thousands of times since that magical night in 2022.

On Friday night, Love was clutch once again. With the Trail Blazers leading 119-118 with about 1:30 left to play, Love drained a three-pointer to put his team up four.

Not going to lie, the most recent clutch basket is very similar to the one he connected on in the Final Four a few years back.

It all comes full circle

During his time at North Carolina, Love participated in Damian Lillard's Formula Zero community, as his efforts while at the annual camp caught the attention of everyone.

While participating in 2022, Love earned the Formula Zero Most Valuable Player Award, as you can see a photo that was taken with him and Lillard following the event.

Now, it has all come full circle. Just over three years later, Lillard and Love are teammates in Portland. Although the former is currently injured, he's definitely proud of what Love is doing on the court, as evidenced by his social media post shortly after Friday night's victory.

Caleb Love is a guy that had quite the journey during his college basketball career. As someone who battled through tons of adversity for essentially five years, Love never let it defeat him, keeping his eye on the prize of playing in the NBA.

While many doubted he could be an NBA-level player, Love never lost confidence in himself, putting the work in to get to this point. It paid off on Friday night, as UNC basketball fans should be extremely happy for this young man who is currently accomplishing his lifelong dream.