If you look at the Miami Heat, there’s someone missing from their roster. Not just a player, but a presence. It’s Kevin Love, he hasn’t suited up since March 21. And the reason is not any injury or suspension. It’s a personal one – a deep, sad one. Fans noticed. Teammates noticed.
Just a few hours ago, the reason for his absence became heartbreakingly clear. In an emotional Instagram post, Love shared that his father, Walt Love, had passed away at the age of 76. “Dad, you fought for a long time… And even at the end, as you continued to deteriorate, I still saw you as a Giant. My Protector. My first Hero,” he wrote. It was more than news, it was a son mourning his hero. But who was his father? And how was the relationship between the father and son?
Who is Kevin Love’s Father?
Stanley “Stan” Love was a player, too. Back in the late ’60s, Stan lit it up at Oregon. He averaged 21.1 points a game, still one of the best in school history. In conference play, he dropped 27.3. No one in Oregon has topped that since.
Drafted ninth overall in 1971 by the Baltimore Bullets. He was 6-foot-9, tough, and quick. He also had stints with the Los Angeles Lakers and the ABA’s Spurs. Not a superstar, but solid. He played 239 pro games, averaging 6.6 points and 3.9 rebounds. Then, quietly, he stepped away from the game in 1975.
But his story didn’t stop on the court. He had family roots that were anything but quiet. He was the younger brother of Mike Love, yes, that Mike Love, from the Beach Boys. That made Brian Wilson, Carl, and Dennis Wilson his cousins. For a while in the late ’70s, Stan became Brian’s “keeper.” Hired a muscle, a trainer, and—some say—a bodyguard. It got messy. There was even a home invasion incident in 1982 involving Dennis Wilson. He and a friend were fined and put on probation.
That’s a part of his life Kevin didn’t talk about much. What his son did talk about, though, was the bond they shared through hoops. In an old interview, his son remembered his first dunk. It happened in a game out in San Bernardino. “I didn’t know what happened,” he said. “Right after the game, I called my dad. Told him: ‘Hey, I got my first dunk!” Little moments like that mattered. Stan wasn’t just the dad in the stands. He was the guy who got it. Who knew the grind, the nerves, and more, over what the love for the game.
Earlier this year, Kevin wore his dad’s vintage Oregon varsity jacket. He did it at a game in his hometown of Portland. It was a quiet tribute that said everything. The jacket was from 1968–69 – a reminder of who Stan was before fatherhood.
Stan lived his final years in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Married, private, and proud. One could tell Kevin admired him greatly. In his tribute post, he called Stan his “first hero.” And that kind of love… it doesn’t fade. The Heat player also honored his late father in a heartfelt tribute filled with gratitude, reflection, and raw emotion. “You have undoubtedly been my greatest teacher,” he wrote, crediting his father for instilling “respect & kindness. Humor & wit. Ambition & work ethic.” Acknowledging past struggles, he further shared, “I mourn the times I felt angry and isolated,” but found healing in the end: “We are a successful story of father and son.” His final words echo with love and longing: “I’m so proud to be your son. My only hope is that you’re proud of me.”
Stan Love had some good chapters: athlete, brother, caretaker, father. Not perfect, not polished, but full. And now, the man who once held Oregon’s scoring crown for 20 years leaves behind a legacy bigger than stats. He raised a son who plays with his heart. And that’s probably the win that meant the most. So, now that you know about his father, let’s also take a look at his mother.
Who is Kevin Love’s Mother?
Karen Love never chased the spotlight, but she was always there. Quietly. Consistently. Like moms tend to be. She spent her career as a nurse in neonatal intensive care. That tells you a lot. Patience. Strength. The kind of love that shows up daily. Off the clock, she was courtside—every game that mattered, she was there.
During Kevin’s commitment day at UCLA, she stood beside him, holding back tears, proud as ever. Once the hooper noted a moment on Instagram. “Happy Mother’s Day!! My beautiful mother Karen and me sharing a moment after my committing to UCLA.” One could feel the bond in that one photo.
She didn’t talk much to the media. Never had to. Her support spoke louder than words ever could. She was there when Kevin struggled. She was here when he soared, went through injuries, trade rumors, and the championship run in the Cleveland Cavaliers. Karen showed up.
Kevin says “my mother” means more than anything. Honestly, it’s kind of beautiful. We celebrate athletes for the big moments. But sometimes, it’s the things we can’t see. And for Kevin Love, that’s always his mother.
What is Kevin Love’s Parents’ Nationality?
Kevin Love’s parents, Stan and Karen Love, are both American by nationality. They were born and raised in the U.S., and built their lives here too. Their ethnicity, however, is something that’s never really been out in the open. And that’s fine. They are American parents who raised a son who wears it all proudly.
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