The Bulls’ Summer League trip ended with a 1-4 record, but the result that mattered most in Las Vegas had little to do with the standings. Chicago walked away with a rookie who looked every bit like a future centerpiece.
Caleb Wilson was the loudest presence in the tournament, and not just because of the numbers. He put up 23.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 3.3 triples, 1.3 steals, and 2.5 blocks per game while shooting 50/42/33. More than the stat line, he played like a guy determined to announce himself on every trip down the floor.
That edge showed up in his matchup with No. 3 pick Cameron Boozer, which Wilson won. He also wanted the chance to test himself against AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson, the first two picks, but once he learned they would not be available, he made clear how he sees himself compared with the typical rookie.
“I feel like I’m different than all of them. Not to say they don’t, but I enjoy basketball.
I love this shit. I’m going to play as much as I can," Dybantsa said, per Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic.
Chicago eventually sat Wilson for the Summer League finale, knowing there was nothing at stake. Dybantsa and Peterson had already been shut down earlier, with their teams removing the chance for those head-to-head showdowns.
The Bulls made Wilson the No. 4 pick, and in a draft class with four franchise-caliber prospects, the board largely sorted things out for them. But what Wilson showed in Las Vegas went beyond talent. He played with a relentless chip on his shoulder and a competitive streak that jumps off the screen.
That same approach also led to some messy stretches. His turnover rate was high at times, and a lot of that came from trying to force the issue and make a statement. That should be less of a problem once the regular season starts, when he won’t be asked to put the ball on the deck or run the offense as often.
Even so, the Bulls saw the parts they wanted to see. Wilson answered questions about his defense and his shooting by being disruptive on one end and effective from all three levels on the other.
Summer League is still Summer League, and none of it will count until the games matter for real. But Chicago left Las Vegas with a clear takeaway: it may have found a star in the making.
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