In a shocking development that has basketball fans buzzing, Arizona guard Caleb Love did not receive an invitation to the 2025 NBA Draft Combine.
The Pac-12 Player of the Year and All-Big 12 First Team selection was notably absent from the 75-player invite list released Friday, despite his decorated collegiate career spanning five seasons at North Carolina and Arizona.
Love’s omission stands out as particularly puzzling given his impressive resume. The 23-year-old guard averaged 18.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists during his final season with the Wildcats, helping lead Arizona to the Sweet 16.
With over 2,000 career collegiate points and a reputation for clutch performances, many expected Love to be a lock for the prestigious pre-draft event.
Draft Experts Question Combine Selection Process After Caleb Love Was Snubbed
ESPN’s Jonathan Givony noted that Love is the third-highest ranked player to miss out on a combine invite this year. Love was projected as the No. 71 prospect on Givony’s big board. Love’s exclusion stands as a notable deviation from typical draft patterns. The decision has left many basketball analysts puzzled, given his decorated collegiate resume.
Caleb Love did not receive an invite to the NBA Draft Combine. pic.twitter.com/4ZYe3sH8p8
— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) May 2, 2025
The snub raises questions about the selection criteria for the combine, which runs May 11-18 in Chicago. While freshman teammate Carter Bryant secured an invitation as a projected first-round pick, both Love and fellow Arizona guard Jaden Bradley were overlooked despite their collegiate accomplishments and professional potential.
Love’s path to the NBA hasn’t been completely blocked. He’s expected to participate in the G League Elite Camp from May 9-11, where standout performers can still earn late invitations to the main combine. This alternative showcase has become an increasingly important stepping stone for prospects on the bubble.
For Love, the G League camp represents a critical opportunity to silence doubters. NBA scouts have expressed concerns about his efficiency and decision-making despite his scoring prowess. At nearly 24 years old by draft time, Love faces added pressure to prove his game will translate to the professional level despite being older than many prospects.
The situation has sparked outrage among college basketball fans, with many describing the snub as “pure disrespect” given Love’s accomplishments. Throughout his college career, Love has consistently delivered in pressure situations, including memorable performances in NCAA Tournament games for both North Carolina and Arizona.
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Whether this slight becomes motivational fuel or a warning sign about his professional prospects, remains to be seen. Love has consistently overcome obstacles throughout his career, transferring successfully after three seasons at North Carolina and elevating his game to new heights at Arizona.
For a player who has made a career of rising to challenges, this latest hurdle may simply be another opportunity to prove doubters wrong before the NBA Draft takes place June 25-26 at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.
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