(Focus On Sport/Getty Images)
Stan Love, a former NBA player, the brother of Beach Boys singer Mike Love and the father of UCLA legend and NBA star Kevin Love, has died. He was 76.
Kevin, who currently plays for the Miami Heat, took to Instagram to announced his father’s death. Stan died on Sunday night, though the cause of death was not disclosed. It appears Stan had been battling health issues over the last six months.
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“Dad, you fought for a long time. The hardest stretch being these past 6 months. The most painful to witness being these last few weeks. And even at the end as you continued to deteriorate – I still saw you as a Giant,” Kevin shared in a lengthy caption. “My Protector. My first Hero.The words we continuously heard from you in your last chapter were how blessed you’ve been to have such a loving family. And in return how much you’ve loved your wife and kids. Your only wish was to be at home surrounded by your family when you took your dying breath.That breath came. And now it’s time to rest.”
Kevin went on to say that his father was undoubtedly his “greatest teacher” and a role model who taught him about respect, kindness, humor, wit, ambition, work ethic, grit and aggressive will.
Related: Beach Boys Founding Member Brian Wilson Put Under Conservatorship Amid Dementia Battle
“Like all of us, my Dad was imperfect. But despite his flaws, and my own, we are a successful story of father and son. A never ending bond, rooted in love, that will forever remain eternal,” Kevin continued. “Dad, I’m so proud to be your son. My only hope is that you’re proud of me. It was all I ever wanted. Thank you for everything.I love you.Your son, Kevin.”
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Stan, who stood at a whopping 6-foot-9, played basketball at the famed Morningside High School in Inglewood, CA., the same high school WNBA legend Lisa Leslie attended. Stan went on to play at Oregon before he was selected with the No. 9 overall pick in the 1971 NBA Draft.
Stan played in 226 games across four seasons with the then-Washington Bullets and the Los Angeles Lakers. He also played in the American Basketball Association for 12 games with the San Antonio Spurs.
After basketball, Stan became a caretaker to Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson, whose family last year announced he was suffering from dementia and was placed under a conservatorship.
