Love Forde | From Late Start to Dominant Double-Double Machine | SportsLifeTalk – You Got Next (Savage Season)

Every once in a while, you come across a player whose timeline doesn’t make sense.A 6’2 post with elite footwork, natural touch, and a consistent double-double presence… who’s only been playing basketball for a few years.That’s Love Forde.In this episode of SportsLifeTalk – You Got Next (Savage Season), we sit down with the Oregon standout from Nelson High School and Nike EYBL’s Cal Stars program to break down one of the most unique rising stories in women’s basketball today — from picking up the game during COVID to becoming one of the most productive and intriguing bigs in her class.And trust… this one is different.Love didn’t grow up in the typical basketball pipeline. There were no early AAU circuits or national rankings tied to her name. Her journey started during the pandemic, when she would head to a neighborhood court, watch Kyrie Irving highlights on her phone, and recreate moves on her own.No spotlight. No pressure. Just work.That work turned into opportunity.After joining her first team, Love quickly developed under strong coaching and earned her way into elite competition, eventually landing with Cal Stars — one of the most respected AAU programs in the country.From there, everything accelerated.Now standing 6’2, Love has built a game centered around efficiency and control. She keeps it simple and effective — strong footwork, drop steps, hooks, physical finishes — but has the ability to expand when needed. Her game isn’t flashy for the sake of attention.It’s effective for the sake of winning.And that shows up every night.What separates Love isn’t just her ability to score — it’s her ability to impact the game without forcing it. She plays with a calm, composed demeanor, rarely sped up, yet consistently produces at a high level. Double-doubles have become routine, and her presence in the paint changes how teams approach the game.At Nelson High School, she helped lead the program to historic success, including a conference championship, a deep state playoff run, and the first trophy appearance in school history.That impact matters.And it’s only growing.On the AAU circuit, Love continues to elevate her game with Cal Stars, competing against elite national talent while also gaining international experience through overseas competition — a rare opportunity that has expanded her perspective and development.When it comes to recruiting, Love keeps her priorities clear.She’s not chasing hype.She’s looking for a home.A program that feels like family.A coaching staff that pushes her to grow.An environment where she can be comfortable and confident.Because for her, development and fit matter more than attention.And what she brings to a program is undeniable:ConsistencyCoachabilityTeam-first mentalityPhysical presenceWinning impactOff the court, Love adds another layer to her story.She has a strong passion for motorsports, spending time working on cars and following Formula 1, with future goals that include engineering and potentially a career in motorsports or aerospace.That combination — athlete and engineer — is rare.And it shows in how she approaches the game: calculated, disciplined, and always improving.Looking ahead, Love is focused on expanding her skill set — improving her perimeter game, continuing to develop her shooting range, and becoming an even more versatile player at the next level.But more than anything, she’s focused on the journey.The growth.The relationships.The opportunity to keep building.Because Love Forde isn’t just a rising player.She’s a developing force.And if her trajectory continues, she won’t stay under the radar for long.