The Portland Trail Blazers' locker room harbors a unique dynamic between established superstar and emerging talent. Damian Lillard, the franchise cornerstone, has bestowed upon rookie Caleb Love a moniker that speaks volumes about his potential: "Top-10 pick." This nickname, born from Love's explosive 26-point performance against Golden State in November where he drained six three-pointers, encapsulates a journey defined by resilience rather than draft status.
The path to this moment began with profound disappointment. Last summer, Love secured a private dining room at a Tucson establishment, preparing to celebrate what he assumed would be a life-altering achievement: hearing his name called during the NBA Draft. Family members, friends, and University of Arizona teammates gathered around a large screen, anticipation building for the realization of a lifelong dream.
When the first round concluded with 30 selections, Love's name remained uncalled. Optimism persisted into the second day, but as 29 additional picks passed without his selection, the celebration transformed into a somber gathering. The emotional weight proved overwhelming, though Love maintained his composure in front of his supporters.
"I didn't let the tears fall right there in that moment," Love recalled. "But once I was home, alone with my thoughts, the emotion poured out. I couldn't break down in front of everyone who came to support me. I had to keep myself together."
The sting of going undrafted felt particularly cruel given his decorated pedigree. As a high school prospect, Love occupied rarefied air: McDonald's All-American, Nike Hoop Summit participant, Jordan Brand Classic invitee, and Missouri's Gatorade Player of the Year. Ranked as the nation's second-best point guard, he earned a scholarship to basketball powerhouse North Carolina, seemingly destined for stardom.
"You name the accolade, I had it," Love said of his prep career.
Yet college basketball revealed harsh realities. The explosive moves that dominated high school competition no longer guaranteed success. He wasn't the fastest or most skilled player on the floor anymore. The transition proved challenging, forcing him to recalibrate his understanding of his game and his place within a team structure. After two seasons at North Carolina, he transferred to Arizona seeking a fresh start, but the adjustment period continued.
Amid these collegiate struggles, a pivotal opportunity emerged in 2022. Love received an invitation to Formula Zero, a basketball camp organized by his basketball idol, Damian Lillard. The connection felt personal—both guards share similar physical builds and shooting mechanics. Love deeply admired Lillard's journey from Weber State, a mid-major program, through a serious foot injury in college, to becoming the sixth overall selection and eventual Rookie of the Year.
"I was just drawn to his story," Love explained. "The way he overcame obstacles and built himself into a superstar from a small school, it resonated with me. We have similar games, similar body types. It felt like he was the blueprint."
That camp invitation planted seeds that would bear fruit in Portland. When Love eventually signed with the Trail Blazers as an undrafted free agent, he found himself learning directly from the player he had long emulated. Lillard recognized something special in the young guard, seeing beyond the draft snub to the talent within. The pre-existing relationship from Formula Zero created an immediate bond and accelerated the trust-building process.
The November night in Golden State served as validation. As Love's shots found their mark repeatedly, Lillard's voice rang out across the court: "Top-10 pick! Top-10 pick!" The nickname stuck, becoming both a confidence booster and a reminder of the chip on Love's shoulder.
"Just hearing him say that, it meant everything," Love said. "I still look up to him like a little kid looks up to their hero. He doesn't even realize the impact his words have on me."
The momentum from that performance has carried into the new year. During January's 12-game stretch, Love has averaged 15.8 points per game, establishing himself as a legitimate rotation player and scoring threat. His ability to create shots, particularly from beyond the arc, has given Portland's second unit a dynamic it desperately needed. His shooting percentage from three-point range during this stretch has been particularly impressive, forcing defenses to respect his spacing.
What makes Love's emergence particularly compelling is the mentorship dynamic at play. Lillard doesn't merely offer platitudes; he provides specific guidance drawn from his own experiences navigating the league as an underdog. The Formula Zero connection created a foundation of trust that has accelerated Love's development beyond what typical rookies experience.
The Trail Blazers organization has taken notice. Coaches praise Love's work ethic and his willingness to absorb coaching. Teammates respect his journey and his quiet determination. The front office sees a player who continues to outperform his contract status and represents exceptional value.
Love's story represents a broader narrative about the limitations of draft evaluation. The 59 players selected ahead of him in last year's draft represented organizations' best guesses about future potential. Yet none of those selections guaranteed success, just as going undrafted didn't foreclose Love's path to contributing at the highest level. History is littered with late-round picks and undrafted players who outperformed their draft position.
The psychological aspect of his journey cannot be understated. Processing the draft-night disappointment required mental fortitude. Channeling that rejection into motivation demanded emotional maturity. Love credits his support system, including his family and Lillard's guidance, with helping him maintain perspective during the darkest moments.
"I could have let that night define me," Love reflected. "Instead, I decided to define my own path. I had to look in the mirror and ask myself what kind of player I wanted to be."
His performance has begun attracting league-wide attention. Analysts who overlooked him now scramble to understand his sudden impact. Opponents who didn't scout him now game-plan for his shooting ability. The narrative has shifted from "undrafted free agent" to "potential steal" and even "future starter."
For Lillard, watching Love's development fulfills a deeper purpose. The veteran guard has always embraced his role as a mentor, understanding that his legacy extends beyond personal accolades. Seeing Love flourish validates Lillard's commitment to nurturing the next generation and giving back to the game that gave him so much.
The Trail Blazers find themselves with an unexpected asset—a scoring guard who can create his own shot, space the floor, and provide energy off the bench. In a season of transition for the franchise, Love's emergence offers a glimmer of hope and a potential building block for the future. His contract situation provides tremendous value, allowing Portland flexibility while developing a potential core piece.
As the season progresses, questions naturally arise about Love's long-term role. Can he maintain this level of production? Will he develop into a starter-caliber player? Does his success make him a trade asset or a cornerstone piece? The answers remain unwritten, but the trajectory suggests upward mobility.
Love's defensive development will be crucial to his long-term success. While his offensive explosion has grabbed headlines, coaches emphasize the importance of becoming a two-way player. His length and athleticism suggest defensive potential that has yet to be fully realized.
One thing is certain: Caleb Love has transformed from draft-night afterthought into NBA contributor. His journey serves as inspiration for future prospects who might face similar disappointment, proving that draft position represents a starting point, not a destination. The 59 names called before his have become irrelevant; what matters now is his production and potential.
In Portland, the chant of "Top-10 pick" continues to echo—not as mockery of what wasn't, but as recognition of what is and what might yet be. Love's story reminds us that in professional sports, talent eventually finds its way to the surface, regardless of how many names are called on draft night. The draft is a moment in time; a career is defined by what comes after.