Caleb Wilson’s Injury Shakes Up Nets’ Draft Outlook
The Brooklyn Nets are inching closer to finding out where they'll land in the 2026 NBA Draft order, with the lottery set for May 10. And while there's growing optimism in Brooklyn about potentially securing the top overall pick, one of their top prospects just hit a major snag.
North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson-one of the most electric talents in college basketball this season-is sidelined with a fracture in his left hand. The school announced the injury without offering a timeline for his return, leaving scouts and front offices in wait-and-see mode as they assess how this could impact his draft stock.
Before the injury, Wilson was putting together a standout freshman campaign, averaging 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. That production, paired with his elite athleticism and defensive versatility, had him firmly in the conversation as a potential No. 1 overall pick.
Wilson’s rise has been steep and well-documented. A five-star recruit coming out of high school, he made headlines not just for his game, but for how he announced his college decision-becoming the first high-profile player to make his commitment live on Inside the NBA. That kind of spotlight isn’t given lightly, and Wilson has largely lived up to the billing.
At 6-foot-9, Wilson brings a tantalizing mix of size, agility, and raw explosiveness. Scouting reports have raved about his ability to play above the rim, his quick first step, and the kind of springy athleticism that makes NBA front offices salivate. He’s the type of forward who can get downhill in a hurry, finish through contact, and make highlight plays in transition.
But it’s not just his offensive upside that’s drawn attention. Wilson has shown flashes of elite defensive potential-rare for a player his age and size.
He’s already shown he can switch onto guards, stay in front of ball handlers, and contest shots at the rim. His footwork and lateral movement are advanced, and he plays with the kind of energy that coaches love on that end of the floor.
The offensive game is still a work in progress, but the foundation is there. Wilson has shown signs of a developing mid-range jumper and even some three-point range.
He’s got solid shooting mechanics and can create space with a step-back move that’s tough to guard at his size. The consistency isn’t there yet, but the tools are.
Scouts have even thrown out comparisons to Chris Bosh-not as a finished product, but as a glimpse of the kind of two-way impact Wilson could eventually have.
Now, though, that fractured hand becomes a major storyline heading into the pre-draft process. If Wilson declares for the 2026 draft-as many expect-teams will be watching closely to see how the injury affects his workouts, measurements, and overall evaluation. Medicals will be key, and his ability to regain full form could determine whether he stays in the top-tier conversation.
For the Nets, who are positioning themselves for a top-three pick, Wilson was a name high on their radar. But with this setback, Brooklyn may need to widen its lens. Other top prospects like AJ Dybantsa (BYU), Darryn Peterson (Kansas), and Cam Boozer (Duke) are also in play-but landing one of those names likely requires a top-three pick.
The draft lottery will bring clarity, but for now, the Nets-and the rest of the NBA-will be watching Caleb Wilson’s recovery closely. His ceiling remains sky-high, but the road to draft night just got a little more complicated.