Kevin Love played college basketball at UCLA. At the end of the 2007-2008 regular season, Love was named a first-team All-American and Pac-10 Freshman of the Year, and Player of the Year. He helped lead UCLA to the regular season Pacific 10 conference championship, as well as the conference tournament championship and a #1 seed in the 2008 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament. Love also helped the Bruins to the Final Four of the 2008 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament.

On April 17, 2008, he announced his intention to leave UCLA and enter the 2008 NBA Draft, where he was drafted fifth by the Memphis Grizzlies. Following the draft he was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves.