Caleb Wilson’s first NBA stretch has already put him in the spotlight, and not just because he’s putting up numbers. The rookie has jumped into the league against veteran-heavy opponents like the New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, and Toronto Raptors, and he’s looked more than ready for the moment. Through those first games, Wilson is averaging 20.8 points while shooting 41.3% from the field.
The shot from deep is still a work in progress. Wilson is hitting just 22.2% of his three-pointers, a number that echoes some of the questions that followed him from North Carolina.
Still, he’s willing to let it fly, and at 20 years old, there’s plenty of time for that part of his game to catch up. For now, the bigger point is that he keeps finding ways to impact the floor.
One of the biggest areas he’ll need to keep growing in is creating for others. That part of the conversation came up when Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns spoke about Wilson, and the praise was strong.
“I told him he’s gonna be great,” said Towns, per The Athletic. “I watched his game from afar.
I think he’s very talented. I’ve heard nothing but great things about him as a human being.
… I know he’s a special player. I think Chicago is seeing that right now.”
Towns also pointed to the kind of attention Wilson draws from defenses, saying he’s going to create a lot of gravity for teammates and help open up shots for guys on the Chicago Bulls.
Wilson seems to understand that dynamic already. He knows he’s sitting at the top of scouting reports right now, especially with Chicago’s youth and lack of proven talent on both ends of the floor.
“I feel like I’ve put myself at the top of every scouting report of every team we’re going to play,” Wilson said. “Just knowing that, and knowing it’s going to attract a lot of gravity and get my teammates open, it’s something I had to learn to accept and be mature enough to make the right decision.”
For Chicago, that kind of poise matters. Wilson is expected to be a central reason the Bulls can build toward success over the next few years, and early signs suggest he’s handling that responsibility well. The production is there, the respect is already coming in, and the foundation looks promising.
In Other News...
UNC Just Landed An In-State QB Fans Will Be Watching Closely
North Carolina got an early jump on its 2028 class with the commitment of four-star quarterback Levi Kerr, a highly regarded in-state prospect from Marvin Ridge High School. The 6-foot-5, 200-pound signal-caller becomes the first player to join the Tar Heels next wave of recruits, giving the program an early foundation at the most important position on the field.
Kerr had drawn interest from multiple major programs, but UNC made a strong enough impression during two visits to land his pledge. For a staff trying to build momentum on the trail, securing one of the top quarterbacks in his class this early is a notable start, even if the bigger question now is how the Tar Heels keep building around him. [Read more 🡒]
Belichick Just Highlighted UNCs Toughest Roster-Building Problem
Bill Belichick used a recent press conference to put a spotlight on one of the biggest challenges facing North Carolina as it tries to build and manage a roster in the new era of college football. The Carolina coach drew a clear contrast between the NFLs contract structure and college footballs revenue-sharing setup, pointing to the difference in how each system is organized and explained.
Belichick said college football still lacks the kind of transparency that comes with the NFLs collective bargaining agreement, and he framed the current setup as something still taking shape. He also noted that pending legislation could bring more changes to the sport, a reminder that roster-building now comes with as much uncertainty off the field as it does on it. [Read more 🡒]
UNCs Offense Showed Up Against No. 1 But One Problem Loomed
For a team that needed its offense to answer a heavyweight, North Carolina got exactly that in a 38-35 loss to No. 1 Miami. Jelani Thurman and Billy Edwards, Jr. helped keep the Tar Heels in striking distance, and Bobby Petrinos offensive plan gave UNC enough rhythm and punch to make the game feel winnable deep into the night.
The problem was on the other side of the ball, where Miami kept finding the answers when it mattered most. The Hurricanes turned key third- and fourth-down chances into the kind of drives that separate a close game from a comeback, leaving North Carolina with more proof that its offense can travel against elite competition, but also a reminder that the defense still has to hold up its end. [Read more 🡒]