Sports
NBA Star Kevin Love Matches Russell Westbrook's Record UCLA Donation
The former Bruins teammates set tying records for the largest donations to UCLA by a former UCLA basketball player.
LOS ANGELES, CA -- Not to be outdone by his former UCLA traveling roommate, former Bruin-turned-NBA star Kevin Love has made a record-tying donation toward construction of the university's basketball training facility, matching an earlier gift by Russell Westbrook, officials said today.
The donation, the amount of which was not released, ties Westbrook's record for largest donation to the university by a former UCLA basketball player. Westbrook made his donation toward construction of the Mo Ostin Basketball Center training facility last December, and the men's basketball practice court in the building will be named in his honor.
For Love's matching donation, the building will include The Kevin Love Strength and Conditioning Center. Love will also be honored during Saturday's UCLA football game against Stanford at the Rose Bowl.
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"UCLA will always be my home," Love said. "I have such fond memories of my time here from meeting Coach (John) Wooden to our run to the Final Four. I want to give back to the school and help prepare all the athletes who come through UCLA sports programs for their next steps, just like my time on campus prepared me."
Love is a three-time NBA All Star, spending six seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves and now with the NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers. He played at UCLA for just one season, 2007-08.
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The Mo Ostin Basketball Center training facility is named in honor of music industry executive Morris "Mo" Ostin, who donated $10 million to the project.
"The impact Kevin has had on our program, both during his time in Westwood and in the years that have followed, is dramatic," said UCLA Athletic Director Dan Guerrero. "Whether you're here one year or five, you are, and always will be, a Bruin. From his selflessness and dedication on the court here in Pauley Pavilion to the thoughtfulness and philanthropy he has exhibited as an NBA star, Kevin is a tremendous ambassador for this university."
City News Service; Photo by Keith Allison via Wikimedia Commons