Arizona standout Caleb Love looks to have the last word, prove doubters wrong

As a newcomer to this program, you bring a fresh perspective. Coach Lloyd has been the head coach at Arizona for 80 games, though, and he’s won 69 of them. That’s an .862 winning percentage. What is the formula with this program and what do you see that allows you to hit your best level?

I believe it’s our culture. We work on our culture every single day, as far as our chemistry and camaraderie. We do little things that Coach Lloyd does off the court that we do to keep our chemistry together and on the same page. We work on it every day and talk about it every day. Coach Lloyd always says the standard is the standard. Arizona Basketball is the highest standard, and we hold ourselves to that every day. We don’t want to be complacent or big-headed because we won eight games. So, we’re going to continue to keep our head down and keep pushing every day to get better.

What are some of those little things that Coach Lloyd does with you to work on your culture?

During the summer, he put us in little groups of teammates that you may not hang out with all the time. He put two or three teammates together and you have to shoot with them, work out and get something to eat with them. Another thing: Everybody has a former player that they’re assigned to who is a mentor to you. I’m assigned to Andre Iguodala. That’s a mentor that I can call and talk to at any time. It’s definitely a different thing over here.

How much have you talked with Andre?

I’ve talked with him a lot. He’s the OG. He’s been through certain things that I’ve been through, and he wants me to be that vocal leader. I try to take things from him because he was one of the greatest leaders in basketball history, especially during his time with the Warriors. So, I just try to pick his brain here and there when I can.

Any piece of advice that Andre has given you that’s really hit home?

He’s given me a lot. He’s told me about picking my spots, knowing when to attack and when to create. He wants me to control my emotions and energy, because you know how the game goes. You may get a little too hyped or let the crowd get you out of our game, or things like that. He always tells me to be poised and be like a pro, to approach the game like a pro because that’s where I want to get to. When you hold yourself to that higher standard to be a professional in what you do, I feel like that goes a long way.

In that win over Duke on Nov. 10, you had a play where you find Keshad Johnson for a clutch bucket in crunch time. And as a result, you walk out of Cameron Indoor Stadium for the last time as a winner. What did that night and moment represent for you?

It meant a lot. Obviously, everybody knows the rivalry I had with them while I was at North Carolina for three years. I feel like it’s still there even though I’m in a different jersey. I carry that rivalry with them wherever I go, so going in there and getting that win was very important not only for me, but for Arizona. Us winning that game put us in a great position to where we are now. I’d say it was an important win.

An 8-0 start to the season for this team. How has that happened?

Our toughness. We’re the toughest team in the country. The way we play, how hard we play on the defensive end, we work on that every day and hold ourselves to that high standard of defending. We want to contest everything and get after people. On offense, coach always says ‘let it rip.’ What that means is playing with swag and making effort plays, diving on the floor and getting loose balls. When you shoot, shoot it with confidence. Let it go. Let it fly and know it’s going in.

When I say Kylan Boswell, your backcourt mate, what comes to mind?

A killer. Man, I love playing with him. He’s only 18 years old, but he plays like a grown man. The way he carries himself, the swag he plays with, I feel like he’s the best point guard in the country right now. You see the numbers that he’s shooting (50% FG, 53% 3-PT FG), and I always tell him to stay humble. You know, the way he’s going right now, he’s putting himself in position to do what he wants to do long-term. I tell him to stay humble. He’s got a great head on his shoulders, and I’m glad I got him as my backcourt mate.

Let’s go back to your roots. You played high school basketball at Christian Brothers College High School for Justin Tatum, the father of Jayson Tatum. How would you describe that, and what is your relationship like with those guys?

I loved it. I loved every second of it. He [Justin] taught me so much from the first time I met him. It’s crazy because the first time I met him was at Jayson’s game in his senior year of high school. I was in eighth grade, and the game was sold out and I couldn’t get in. My mom was trying to work something out for me to go, and he [Justin] gave us some tickets. They [Christian Brothers College High School] were playing St. Louis University High School and Jayson was in his senior year. I wanted to go to all of his games knowing what type of player he was and watching him growing up. He was like a big brother to me. I loved being coached by Coach Tatum. It wasn’t just about his coaching, but also about what he did off the floor for me. He was like another father figure. We still talk to this day. He’s with the Australian team right now over in the NBL. I’m so glad he’s doing well, and I’m proud of him. He’s still coaching me to this day. And Jayson, that’s like a big brother to me. He’s been there for a long time. I’ve known him for a long time now and he’s definitely giving me tips. He tells me to keep working and everything will work out.

So, did you know Justin would be your high school coach when he helped get you into that game?

No, I didn’t know. It’s crazy how that works. I did not know. I was in eighth grade. I wasn’t in high school yet, but it’s crazy how that worked out. That was the first time I met him.

Did you think after that moment that you would play for Coach Tatum?

I knew it was an option, but it was early on in my eighth grade year, so I still had time to think about what high school I was going to head to. Knowing that it was a possibility, and how that came to fruition, it was crazy how I met him.

What’s your why?

My parents [Dennis and Alecia]. They put so much into me ever since day one, and I see them go hard every single day. They’ve never missed a game with the exception of one, and it was a game at Virginia Tech where their flight got turned around due to weather. I think that was the only game they’ve ever missed. I love them to death, and I want to give them the world when the time comes. Just seeing them work hard every day, and put food on the table and clothes on my back from day one, I definitely want to give them the world. That’s my why.

What do they do for a living?

My mom works in HR, and my dad sells life insurance. I get that work ethic from them. My dad, every day, is grinding. My mom will get on a flight to see me play and is back at work the next morning getting on 6 or 7 a.m. flights. Just seeing how hard they work and the sacrifice they make for me, I owe them the world.

Let’s go off the court …

The three artists on your pregame playlist?

Lil Baby, Gunna and Veeze. I’ve been on Veeze heavy.

Hidden talent or hobby?

Bowling. I love to go bowling. That, and playing pool.

How often do you bowl?

I haven’t gone in a minute, but when I can, I go once or twice a month. I don’t go that often because of the schedule, but if my teammates want to go, I’m always in.

Who would play you in a movie?

My favorite movie is “Like Mike,” so I’ll say Bow Wow.

Favorite meal?

Spaghetti, salad and Hawaiian rolls.

The thing at the top of your Christmas list growing up that you got?

I wanted shoes. I’m a sneakerhead, that’s my favorite thing. Any shoe that I could get, whether it was the hottest shoe or one that I liked, I had to have it.

Favorite shoe right now?

Jordan-wise, I’d say Jordan 4s. I also like the Union dunks. That’s probably my favorite. And I like Air Force 1s. I’m from St. Louis, so I love Air Force shoes.

Your biggest NBA inspiration?

Kobe. I love his mindset and work ethic, with how much of a student of the game that he is. Just watching him growing up and the battles that he went through, the things that he went through to get to where he is, and his killer mindset, that’s one. Right now, I’d say Jayson Tatum and Bradley Beal with them being from St. Louis. I also love Damian Lillard. He’s my favorite player in the league right now. I’ve talked to Dame, I went to his camp, and he’s a great dude that is so down to earth. He’s probably one of the most solid dudes that I’ve met.

What do you want your last chapter of college basketball to be when it’s all said and done? What kind of legacy do you want to leave at Arizona?

A comeback story. Somebody that didn’t quit, that went through all the trials and tribulations and fought through everything, and beat the odds when the whole world was against him. He stayed true to himself.

And more than anything, I want to win a national championship for Arizona Basketball. I feel like we’ve got the team to do it, and the coaching staff to do it. That’s what I want my legacy to be. For the kids growing up who are watching me, and those following my story, I just say this:

Don’t give up. Believe in God’s plan. And you can do it too.

John Fanta is a national college basketball broadcaster and writer for FOX Sports. He covers the sport in a variety of capacities, from calling games on FS1 to serving as lead host on the BIG EAST Digital Network to providing commentary on The Field of 68 Media Network. Follow him on Twitter @John_Fanta.