Bob Love, a former star player for the Chicago Bulls, passed away on Monday at the age of 81 after a battle with cancer, the team confirmed.
Love, a forward from Southern University, had an 11-season NBA career, with nine of those years spent with the Bulls. He was traded to Chicago midway through the 1968-69 season and quickly became one of the team’s early standout players. Over his time with the Bulls, Love was selected as an All-Star three times, including during the 1971-72 season when he posted a career-best 25.8 points per game and finished sixth in MVP voting.
Bob Love was also a key member of the 1973-74 Chicago Bulls team that secured the franchise’s first playoff series victory. Throughout his time with the Bulls, Love earned two All-NBA Second Team selections and made the All-Defensive Second Team three times.
“Bob is one of the original Bulls greats,” said Jerry Reinsdorf, the team’s owner, in a statement. “During his nine seasons with Chicago, Bob became a cornerstone of the franchise, known for his relentless defense and setting high standards of competition and toughness. His toughness was not just evident on the court but also in the resilience he showed throughout his basketball career. His impact on the Bulls and the many lives he touched through his community work will ensure his legacy is remembered forever.”
In addition to his time with the Chicago Bulls, Bob Love also played for the Cincinnati Royals, Milwaukee Bucks, New York Nets, and Seattle SuperSonics. Over the course of his career, he averaged 17.6 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. In 1994, Love became just the second player in Bulls history to have his jersey retired, with his No. 10 joining Jerry Sloan’s No. 4 in the rafters. After retiring, Love remained active in the Chicago community, continuing to make an impact off the court.
The team expressed, “While Bob’s No. 10 jersey proudly hangs in the United Center rafters, marking his lasting impact on the court, his influence went far beyond basketball. He became an inspirational figure and a dedicated community ambassador for the Bulls, devoting himself to charitable work and touching many lives through his motivational speeches. We are deeply thankful for the lasting contributions and legacy he left both on and off the court in Chicago.”