When Collin Chandler first met Caleb Wilson, it was under very different circumstances. Back then, the two were just high school prospects-Chandler already committed to Kentucky, and Wilson still weighing his options. They spent part of a recruiting visit together in Lexington, grabbing dinner and getting to know each other as young players trying to find the right fit for their next step.
Fast forward to now, and there’s no more recruiting talk-just the reality of facing off under the bright lights. Chandler’s a sophomore guard for the Wildcats, and Wilson? He’s the centerpiece of a North Carolina team that’s rolling into Rupp Arena with serious firepower.
“I know Caleb a little bit,” Chandler said this week as Kentucky prepared for Tuesday night’s showdown. “We hung out when he visited here, had dinner, got to know him a bit.
He’s a good kid. We had a good time.”
Wilson ended up choosing Carolina over Kentucky, a decision Chandler didn’t dwell on. “I don’t know exactly what happened,” he admitted.
“I haven’t talked to him about it.” But what matters now isn’t where Wilson committed-it’s how Kentucky plans to contain him.
And that’s no small task.
At 6’10” and 215 pounds, Wilson is a matchup nightmare. He’s averaging 19.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game-numbers that don’t just look good on paper, they show up in every possession. He’s long, athletic, and relentless, the kind of player who forces teams to adjust their entire defensive scheme just to slow him down.
“He’s a dangerous downhill driver,” Chandler said. “He’s so long, and that creates a lot of problems. It’s about who can step in and stop him before he gets to the hoop-which is a lot harder than it sounds.”
Kentucky’s defenders know they can’t afford to let Wilson get comfortable. He thrives in transition, plays with pace, and doesn’t shy away from contact. He’s not just a scorer-he’s a physical presence who draws fouls, crashes the glass, and defends at a high level.
“North Carolina is really good at getting downhill and playing through their athletic bigs,” said Otega Oweh. “Caleb Wilson draws a lot of fouls.
He plays very physically, very aggressive. He’s averaging 10 boards too, so you’re going to have to really hit and go get it.”
The advanced metrics back it up. According to Synergy Sports, Wilson is producing 1.185 points per possession on offense while holding opponents to just 0.763 on defense.
That’s elite two-way efficiency, especially for a freshman. In a 2025 class loaded with talent, Wilson has separated himself as one of the most impactful newcomers in college basketball.
And this game carries a little extra weight. Kentucky was in the final mix for Wilson during his recruitment.
It came down to the wire between the Wildcats and Tar Heels. Now, he returns to the building he almost called home-only this time, he’s wearing Carolina blue and looking to make a statement.
Kentucky knows what’s coming. Wilson has been a problem for just about everyone he’s faced this season, and the Wildcats aren’t taking the challenge lightly. But they’re not backing down either.
“Caleb Wilson, he’s been a problem for a lot of teams,” Chandler said. “We’re ready for him and what he brings. He brings a lot.”
Oweh echoed the sentiment: “He’s a good player. A really good player.”
Tuesday night in Lexington, it won’t be about who almost landed Caleb Wilson. It’ll be about who can stop him now.