Gavin Love
Encyclopedia
Gavin Love is a former British
professional basketball
player and current head coach for his hometown club Plymouth Raiders
of the British Basketball League
(BBL).
The 6 ft (2 m) tall former Point Guard was educated at local college Marjon's and played for his hometown team Plymouth Raiders for 13 years, and the first team since 2000, where he become a permanent feature in the starting five for the Raiders. Love soon rose to prominence as a fans' favourite with the people of Plymouth
and a local hero, and was awarded the team captaincy.
At the end of the 2006-2007 season, Love earned a call-up to the Great Britain team
coached by Chris Finch, only to pull out after badly damaging his Achilles tendon in the final game of the BBL campaign, and had to undergo an operation and lengthy rehabilitation period. Love made a recovery and returned to the team in 2008 but was constantly hampered by further injuries, which eventually prompted him to an early retirement announced on February 6, 2009, at the age of 29. His number 6 jersey has been retired in honour of his dedication to the club.
Love was appointed head coach of the Plymouth Raiders during the summer of 2010, replacing his former mentor Gary Stronach who had left the club after 24 years of service.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player and current head coach for his hometown club Plymouth Raiders
Plymouth Raiders
The Plymouth Raiders, officially called UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders for sponsorship reasons, is South-west England's leading basketball team. Based in the city of Plymouth, they play their home games at the Pavilions arena and have competed in the top-tier British Basketball League since 2004...
of the British Basketball League
British Basketball League
The British Basketball League, often abbreviated to the BBL, is the premier men's professional basketball league in the United Kingdom. The BBL runs two knockout competitions alongside the league championship; the BBL Cup and the BBL Trophy....
(BBL).
The 6 ft (2 m) tall former Point Guard was educated at local college Marjon's and played for his hometown team Plymouth Raiders for 13 years, and the first team since 2000, where he become a permanent feature in the starting five for the Raiders. Love soon rose to prominence as a fans' favourite with the people of Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
and a local hero, and was awarded the team captaincy.
At the end of the 2006-2007 season, Love earned a call-up to the Great Britain team
Great Britain national basketball team
The Great Britain men's national basketball team, known as Great Britain or GB, is the national team for Great Britain in basketball...
coached by Chris Finch, only to pull out after badly damaging his Achilles tendon in the final game of the BBL campaign, and had to undergo an operation and lengthy rehabilitation period. Love made a recovery and returned to the team in 2008 but was constantly hampered by further injuries, which eventually prompted him to an early retirement announced on February 6, 2009, at the age of 29. His number 6 jersey has been retired in honour of his dedication to the club.
Love was appointed head coach of the Plymouth Raiders during the summer of 2010, replacing his former mentor Gary Stronach who had left the club after 24 years of service.