Bob Love, a legendary forward and one of the Chicago Bulls’ earliest stars, has died at the age of 81 following a long battle with cancer.
Love spent the majority of his NBA career with the Bulls, where he averaged 21.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game over nine seasons. After his retirement, he spent decades serving as a team ambassador and supporting charitable causes.
“Bob was a true legend and a beloved member of our family,” the Bulls said in a statement.
“He became an inspirational figure and a passionate community ambassador for the Bulls, dedicating himself to charitable causes and uplifting countless lives with his motivational speeches,” the statement read. “We are profoundly grateful for his enduring contributions and legacy both on and off the court in Chicago.”
Love was a three-time All-Star and a two-time pick on the All-NBA Second-Team, and finished in the top 10 in MVP voting twice during his career.
“With his no. 10 jersey hanging in the United Center rafters, his on-court achievements are forever etched in history,” the team wrote, adding that Love’s impact “transcended basketball.”
Love grew up in northern Louisiana as one of 14 children, and earned the nickname “Butterbean” due to his love for lima beans.
The 6-foot-8-inch forward was selected by Cincinnati in the fourth round of the 1965 NBA Draft. After two seasons with the Royals, he was taken by Milwaukee in the 1968 expansion draft.
Later that year, Love and Bob Weiss were traded to Chicago for Flynn Robinson. Love went on to become one of the Chicago Bulls’ first star players after the team joined the league.
Love led the Bulls with a career-high 25.8 points per game in the 1971–72 season. He retired after the 1976–77 season, finishing with career averages of 17.6 points and 5.9 rebounds across 789 games, having also played for the Nets and the Seattle SuperSonics.
In January 1994, Love became the second player in Bulls history to have his number retired, alongside Jerry Sloan. Earlier this year, he was inducted into the Bulls’ inaugural Ring of Honor class.
The Bulls said that memorial services will be announced at a later date.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.