Caleb Wilson is barely into his NBA career, but Dwyane Wade is already talking about him like a future pillar in Chicago.
That’s not casual rookie hype, either. On his Time Out podcast, the three-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer made it clear he sees the former UNC standout as someone who could grow into the next major star for the Bulls. Wade, who grew up in Chicago and briefly played for the franchise, pointed to Wilson’s makeup, competitiveness, and overall presence as reasons he could become the kind of player the organization builds around.
Chicago has already had its share of icons. Michael Jordan delivered six championships.
Derrick Rose became the youngest MVP in NBA history. Jimmy Butler developed into one of the league’s top players.
But the Bulls have spent years looking for the next true centerpiece, and Wade thinks Wilson has that kind of ceiling.
He even went a step further and drew a comparison to Kevin Garnett.
That’s a heavy name to attach to a rookie, but Wade’s reasoning centered on Wilson’s energy, defensive rebounding, off-ball movement, and willingness to attack. In Wade’s view, the young forward plays with a “dog mentality” that stands out every time he steps on the floor.
Wilson has given him plenty to point to early. The No. 4 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft is averaging 21.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.3 blocks through his first seven NBA games. For a 20-year-old adjusting to the pro game, that’s a serious start.
What makes the praise even more striking is that Wilson’s scoring isn’t the only thing grabbing attention. His impact has come in different ways, the same kind of all-around imprint he showed during his lone season in Chapel Hill. He could finish with a dunk, make a defensive play, or explode to the rim and change the tone of a possession.
His game is still unfinished, too. The outside shot remains a work in progress, and there’s plenty of room for growth as he gains more NBA reps. But the early returns have been loud enough to get the attention of one of the game’s greats.
For a Bulls team still searching for its next true face, Wilson has already become a reason for hope. And if Wade is right, this is only the beginning.
In Other News...
UNC Staff Shakeup Looks Even Worse After Damaging Investigation
North Carolina footballs internal investigation into alleged misconduct inside the program has already left a costly mark, with the school spending nearly $1 million on the inquiry. What began as a behind-the-scenes review has now spilled into public view, exposing allegations that included improper sexual relationships and drug use and forcing the program to confront a messy stretch that has already cost it two prominent staff members.
Defensive coordinator Steve Belichick and general manager Michael Lombardi both resigned in the wake of the probe, a sign of how seriously the findings landed inside the building. The investigation concluded that some actions crossed the programs standards, even if they were not deemed systemic, leaving UNC with the uncomfortable task of trying to move forward while the fallout from the review still hangs over the football operation. [Read more 🡒]
UNC Football Probe Just Raised Bigger Questions Around Bill Belichick
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has spent more than $914,000 on an internal investigation into its football program, a costly review that ended with the resignations of general manager Michael Lombardi and defensive coordinator Steve Belichick. Conducted by three law firms, the probe found isolated actions that did not reflect the universitys values, but it stopped short of concluding there was a broader breakdown inside the program.
For UNC, the bigger issue now is how much of this episode lands at the feet of Bill Belichick and how quickly the program can move past it. Chancellor Lee Roberts has continued to back the head coach, but the investigation has only sharpened the scrutiny around the structure of his staff and the culture taking shape around the Tar Heels. [Read more 🡒]
UNC Is Chasing A 5-Star Guard With Huge Class Implications
North Carolina has already landed one major piece for its future backcourt with a commitment from five-star recruit Demarcus Henry in the class of 2027, and now the Tar Heels are keeping close tabs on another elite guard who could reshape that same cycle. Brady Pettigrew, a five-star combo guard in the class of 2028, has emerged as a name to watch after visiting Chapel Hill, giving UNC a chance to stay in the mix with one of the most coveted young guards in the country.
The wrinkle is Pettigrews timeline, since a possible reclassification to 2027 would instantly put him on the same board as Henry and give North Carolina a chance to stack elite talent in one class. Multiple top programs are chasing Pettigrew, so the Tar Heels are not alone in this pursuit, but the combination of his recent visit and the possibility of an accelerated path makes this one worth monitoring closely for what it could mean for UNCs long-term roster build. [Read more 🡒]