Caleb Wilson Projected to Be Best Player Over Dybantsa, Peterson from 2026 NBA Draft by Execs

North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson has generally been placed fourth in the highest tier for the 2026 NBA draft class. Some around the league are convinced he could emerge as the best player, though.

In the newest episode of the Hoop Collective podcast, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported at the 19:15 mark there's a "segment of people" who believe Wilson could outshine AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer.

"There are people who believe that Caleb Wilson could — maybe they don't favor that to happen — but there are people who believe that in two or three years you can say Caleb Wilson was the best player," the NBA insider said.

Windhorst cited San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle as an example. Castle, the No. 4 overall pick in 2024, has been the top talent to come out of that draft so far.

ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla went on to praise Wilson and said he was won over by what the 6'9" forward had to say after UNC beat Kansas in November.

The first-year standout scored a game-high 24 points and told reporters he was motivated to make an impression on Peterson after he felt Peterson didn't pass him the ball in the McDonald's All-American Game.

"When he said it, as a coach I said I want this kid," Fraschilla told Windhorst and co-host Tim MacMahon.

Wilson averaged 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds as a freshman for the Tar Heels. He also shot 57.8 percent from the field.

Caleb Wilson Highlights

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In his final mock draft, Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman projected the athletic prospect to go fourth overall to the Chicago Bulls. That's pretty much where he's been slotted since the draft process began.

Still, Wasserman reported some NBA officials "actually prefer Wilson to Cameron Boozer, whose athletic limitations have raised some skepticism."

"Certain scouts sound willing to bet on Wilson's open-floor ball-handling, mid-range scoring and passing continuing to improve to complement the quickness, explosion and defensive range that Boozer lacks," Wasserman wrote.

Boozer isn't an exceptional athlete, which could put a firm ceiling on him at the next level. Peterson battled injuries and generally had an underwhelming run in Lawrence. The Athletic's David Aldridge reported that Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown has been a frequent comp for Dybantsa, which can be read as a flattering or somewhat critical parallel when Brown hasn't often been framed as an elite top-five player in the NBA.

There's a reason Wilson sits behind that trio in the eyes of most experts. He didn't quite put as much on tape as they did, and he isn't as highly skilled.

Combine his potential with his obvious physical gifts, though, and nobody will be totally shocked if has a better career than Dybantsa, Peterson and Boozer when all is said and done.