Caleb Wilson 'For Sure' Feels Slept on Ahead of 2026 NBA Draft After Injury-Plagued Season at UNC
North Carolina star Caleb Wilson carries the distinction of being the fourth-best player in a draft class with three cornerstones. As a result, he might be flying under the radar a bit.
Wilson told Andscape's Marc J. Spears he "for sure" feels as though people are sleeping on his game and potential at the next level.
"But it always comes to light," he said. "I will prove it when I get to play again, and that will be summer league. I'm just waiting for the opportunity. I feel like I'm a versatile player, and I will change any franchise that will choose to draft me. Whoever feels I'm good enough to be a part of their program or wants me to be a part of it, I'll be excited to be a part of it."
Wilson averaged 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 24 appearances with the Tar Heels. He steadily emerged as one of the best players in the country.
His stock didn't suffer much, either, when he fractured a bone in his left hand in February and then broke his right thumb while preparing for his return to the court.
Still, Wilson might have a firm ceiling in terms of how high he'll go in the draft. The trio of BYU's AJ Dybantsa, Kansas' Darryn Peterson and Duke's Cameron Boozer have separated themselves from the pack.
In his first mock draft after Sunday's lottery, Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman had Wilson going fourth to the Chicago Bulls.
"There are even NBA front office members who actually prefer Wilson to Cameron Boozer, whose athletic limitations have raised some skepticism," he wrote. "Certain scouts sound willing to bet on Wilson's open-floor ball-handling, shotmaking flashes and passing continuing to improve to complement the quickness, explosion and defensive range that Boozer lacks."
Being overshadowed by Dybantsa, Peterson and Boozer could work to the benefit to Wilson and the team that picks him. He's bound to face a little less pressure out of the gate, and his nightly performances won't be judged against those of his peers as frequently.
Wilson emerging as the best player from the 2026 over time would be unexpected but not a complete shock, given his obvious talent.
Wilson was also involved in a light-hearted moment ahead of the draft. Bella Flemings, the sister of former Houston star Kingston Flemings, let Wilson know they were on opposite sides of the biggest rivalry in college basketball.
