A decorated career that carried her from high school courts in Spokane to the NCAA Elite Eight and a professional draft selection is earning Emily (Westerberg) Love yet another honor. The 41-year-old will be inducted into the Hooptown Hall of Fame on June 24 as part of the 2026 class — her third career Hall of Fame induction, following previous recognitions from both Central Valley High School and Arizona State University.
“To have the recognition of being inducted into my hometown hall of fame is so special. It feels like legacy to me,” Love said of the upcoming ceremony.
A Remarkable Run at Central Valley
Love’s prep career at Central Valley stands as one of the most dominant stretches in the region’s basketball history. Over three seasons, her team compiled an extraordinary 82-4 record, and she personally piled up 1,460 points — a school scoring mark that has since been surpassed but still reflects the level at which she competed. The Bears won two State 4A championships during her tenure, with one runner-up finish rounding out her time there.
Before she ever stepped on a high school floor, Love was already earning national recognition. She claimed two Basketball Congress International national championships with the Spokane Stars, cementing her reputation as one of the top young players in the country.
College Success, Professional Recognition
Love took her game to Arizona State University, where she continued to excel. Her final season with the Sun Devils ended with a 31-5 record and an NCAA Elite Eight appearance — the first in school history at that level. The Sun Devils also made a Sweet 16 run during her college career, marking ASU as a legitimate national contender.
Her senior season caught the attention of professional scouts, and the Phoenix Mercury selected her in the third round of the WNBA Draft. Despite the distinction of being drafted, Love ultimately declined the opportunity to play professionally, a decision that set the stage for a different chapter in her life.
Life After Basketball
Love married Grayling Love, a former Arizona State football player, in July 2007, and the couple eventually settled in Peachtree City, Georgia, roughly 30 miles south of Atlanta. The family connection to the Pacific Northwest remains strong — her parents, who spent four decades in Spokane, are preparing to move just one block from the Love family’s Georgia residence.
Away from basketball, Love has built a career around helping others reach their potential. She is a certified life coach and co-owner of a leadership development business, applying the competitive mindset she honed on the court to her professional work.
Her family life has flourished as well. Her daughter, a Georgia Certificate of Merit recipient, will be a high school senior in the fall. Her son is a sophomore who has already drawn interest from college football programs, receiving three scholarship offers. Two younger sons are entering seventh and third grades respectively.
Love also spoke warmly about longtime friend and fellow basketball figure Aubree Chestnut, describing the relationship in personal terms: “She’s my soul sister. She’s profoundly important to me.”
The Hooptown Hall of Fame honors players, coaches, and contributors who helped shape basketball’s deep roots in the Spokane region and surrounding communities. For Love, a Spokane-area native whose journey took her across the country and back in spirit, the induction carries a weight that goes beyond statistics and championships.
What Comes Next
The Hooptown Hall of Fame induction ceremony is scheduled for June 24, 2026. Love’s enshrinement will mark her third career Hall of Fame recognition. With her parents preparing to relocate nearby and her children advancing through school and athletics, the coming year shapes up as a busy and meaningful one for the Love family. Fans of Palouse-area basketball and those who follow Idaho and regional collegiate athletics will find Love’s story a compelling example of how success built on the local courts can leave a lasting legacy well beyond graduation.