Stan Love, former NBA player and father of Miami Heat forward Kevin Love, passed away on Sunday at the age of 76. Kevin announced his father’s death in an emotional Instagram post, referring to him as his “protector” and “first hero.”
Kevin wrote, “Dad, you fought for a long time. The hardest stretch being these past 6 months.
The most painful to witness being these last few weeks. And even at the end as you continued to deteriorate – I still saw you as a Giant. My Protector.
My first Hero.”
Stan Love played four seasons in the NBA from 1971 to 1975 for the Baltimore Bullets and Los Angeles Lakers, as well as part of one season for the ABA’s San Antonio Spurs. He was drafted by the Bullets with the ninth pick in the 1971 NBA Draft after starring at the University of Oregon.
Kevin mourns father’s passing
During his NBA career, Stan averaged 6.6 points and 3.9 rebounds in 14.7 minutes across 239 games. He played two seasons for the Bullets before being traded to his hometown Lakers, where he played for one-plus season from 1973 to 1975. Stan’s younger brother, Mike Love, is a founding member of the Beach Boys.
Mike expressed his grief and shock in a heartfelt social media post, writing, “I guess I am still in shock; although he’d battled significant health issues for so long, I never thought I’d lose him. I really thought we would be here together. Reality is not what I thought or hoped for.”
Kevin, who has been away from the Heat for personal reasons, attended Game 4 in Miami against his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Before the game, he shared an emotional embrace with his former teammate and Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson. The Miami Heat issued a statement expressing their condolences, saying, “The Miami Heat are deeply saddened to learn that Stan Love passed away this weekend after a long illness. We ask all of Heat nation, and basketball fans everywhere, to keep Stan Love, Kevin Love and their family and loved ones in their thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.”
Kevin, a five-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA honoree, played eight-plus seasons for the Cavaliers from 2014 to 2023, helping lead the team to four consecutive NBA Finals appearances and winning the 2016 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors.
