Paul McNeil Jr. and Caleb Wilson Shine Bright in ACC Weekly Honors
Two of the ACC’s rising stars just put the rest of the league on notice.
NC State sophomore guard Paul McNeil Jr. has been named the ACC Men’s Basketball Player of the Week, while Caleb Wilson, the freshman forward from North Carolina, has earned ACC Rookie of the Week honors for games played from December 15-21. For Wilson, it’s his second time picking up Rookie of the Week this season. For McNeil Jr., this is his first time claiming the league’s top weekly accolade-and after the week he just had, it’s well deserved.
Paul McNeil Jr. (So., G, NC State)
Hometown: Rockingham, North Carolina
Let’s start with McNeil, who put together one of the most electric individual performances we’ve seen in the ACC in years. The sophomore averaged 33.0 points and 8.0 rebounds across two wins-first over Texas Southern, then Ole Miss-but it was his explosion against Texas Southern that will be remembered for a long time in Raleigh.
McNeil dropped a career-high 47 points, torching the nets with 11 made three-pointers, tying an ACC record and setting a new NC State program record. He was 12-of-18 from the field, a blistering 11-of-17 from deep, and a perfect 12-for-12 at the line. And he didn’t just score-he grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds to record his first-ever double-double.
To put that 47-point night in perspective: it ties him for fifth-most points in a single game in Wolfpack history, matching a mark set by Sammy Ranzino back in 1951. It’s also the most points scored by an ACC player since NC State’s Rodney Monroe dropped 48 on Georgia Tech in 1991. That’s elite company.
McNeil followed that up with a team-best 19 points in the Wolfpack’s 76-62 win over Ole Miss in Greensboro, capping off a week that not only earned him Player of the Week honors, but also firmly stamped his name among the conference’s top scorers.
Caleb Wilson (Fr., F, North Carolina)
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
For the second time this season, Caleb Wilson is your ACC Rookie of the Week, and he’s making a strong case to be in the conversation for Freshman of the Year.
Wilson averaged 20.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.5 blocks in wins over ETSU and Ohio State, continuing a stretch of dominance that’s seen him notch four straight 20-point games.
He was a model of efficiency, hitting 15 of his 22 shots (68.2%) from the floor. Against ETSU, he put up 20 points and eight boards, but it was his performance against Ohio State that truly stood out.
With the game on the line and UNC clinging to a one-point lead, Wilson came up with the play of the night-blocking a potential game-winning putback attempt at the buzzer to seal a 71-70 win for the Tar Heels. Clutch doesn’t begin to cover it.
He finished that game with 20 points, 15 rebounds (his season high and tied for the most by any Tar Heel this season), and 16 of those points came in the second half, when Carolina needed him most.
ACC Weekly Honors Recap (2025-26 Season)
Players of the Week:
- Nov.
10 - Caleb Wilson (UNC), Neoklis Avdalas (VT)
- Nov.
17 - Cameron Boozer (Duke), Mikel Brown Jr. (Louisville)
- Nov. 24 - B.J.
Edwards (SMU)
- Dec.
1 - Cameron Boozer (Duke)
- Dec.
8 - Cameron Boozer (Duke)
- Dec.
15 - Myles Colvin (Wake Forest)
- **Dec.
22 - Paul McNeil Jr. (NC State)**
Rookies of the Week:
- Nov.
10 - Caleb Wilson (UNC), Neoklis Avdalas (VT)
- Nov.
17 - Cameron Boozer (Duke), Mikel Brown Jr. (Louisville)
- Nov. 24 - Cameron Boozer (Duke)
- Dec. 1 - Cameron Boozer (Duke)
- Dec. 8 - Cameron Boozer (Duke)
- Dec. 15 - Neoklis Avdalas (VT)
- Dec. 22 - Caleb Wilson (UNC)
McNeil and Wilson didn’t just put up numbers-they delivered moments. Whether it was a record-breaking shooting night or a game-saving defensive stand, both players showed why they’re becoming must-watch talents in the ACC. And if this past week is any indication, we’re just getting started.