Carlyle Love

A blistering talent, many claimed Carlyle Love to be the greatest they’d ever seen. A late start after a rough upbringing saw Love finding the ABA and his rookie year well into his twenties. Perhaps it was the age that allowed him to be so dominant. In his rookie season he averaged an eye-popping 38.6 points and 28 rebounds per game on his way to becoming the first player in league history to win the Rookie of the Year and MVP awards in the same season. A feat rivaled only later in the NBA by Wilt Chamberlain. Carlyle Love’s power, speed, and natural grace came to define the rag tag league that gave the world the three point shot and the slam dunk contest.

Carlyle Love, tough rookie

Carlyle Love Conquers All

Tales of love’s tenacity are a thing of legend, games played on sprained ankles, and with dislocated fingers. The infamous “no points” game where, due to a beleaguered roster, an injured Love played four quarters, scored no points, but still carried 28 rebounds. Or the even more impressive all time legend, Carlyle Love’s game winning “eyes closed” half court shot.

Tragically, as with the ABA, Carlyle Love’s story was cut short, he died in a car accident after his MVP Rookie season. Love’s legacy rolls on in the players who saw him and played against him, but also in the title he holds for having one of the rarest and most expensive basketball cards of all time. A rumored PSA 10 graded Carlyle Love rookie card is said to fetch $20 million dollars at auction.

Carlyle Love killed in tragic car accident . Love lives on.