BYU forwad AJ Dybantsa, Kansas guard Darryn Peterson and Duke forward Cameron Boozer headlined NBA mock drafts leading up to Tuesday’s first round. The discussion about which of the three should go No. 1 overshadowed North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson, another intriguing prospect who had been mentioned in the same breath as that trio for much of the college basketball season.
But Wilson was sidelined down the stretch of his lone campaign with the Tar Heels. He first sustained a fracture in his left hand amid a loss to Miami on Feb. 10. Then, before he returned to game action, Wilson broke his right thumb while dunking during a non-contact drill in practice on March 5.
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He needed surgery and missed the rest of the season, including the NCAA tournament, in which Dybantsa, Peterson and Boozer all played. They heard their names called first, second and third, respectively, in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Wilson went fourth, except that hasn’t stopped him from talking like the top pick.
He was asked Friday during his Chicago Bulls introductory news conference what kind of rookie season he expects to have in 2026-27.
“I expect to have Rookie of the Year, honestly,” said Wilson, an Atlanta native who will turn 20 next month.
“I mean, I’m going to work hard. I’m going to do what it takes. I feel like the team is really good for me and how I envision to play. I know I’m a hard worker, so whatever I need to fix and work on throughout the season and before the season, I’m going to work on it so I can be a great player.”
Just three days earlier, Wilson made an even more dramatic statement. In the aftermath of his selection, he declared that he wants to be “the greatest of all time.”
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“Y’all got one of the GOATs in y’all history, so it’s time for another one,” he said, per The Athletic’s Joel Lorenzi.
He, of course, was alluding to six-time NBA champion and five-time league MVP Michael Jordan. The confidence continued to ooze from Wilson on Friday as he addressed reporters. While his remarks might make him sound brazen, Wilson explained that he’s always been in the pursuit of greatness and would rather try to speak like it than shy away from it.
In 24 games at UNC, Wilson averaged 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks per contest. He turned in 24 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals in a Nov. 7 win over Peterson’s Kansas. In a Feb. 7 victory over Duke’s Boozer, Wilson logged 17 of the Tar Heels’ 29 first-half points that night and finished with 23.
He was asked if he’s worried about the statements he’s been making. The 6-foot-10, 215-pound forward said no, then elaborated.
“Me saying I want to do something and me putting actions behind it and becoming a great player are all things that I feel like I’m capable of. Striving for something is something that we all do. I mean, striving to be the greatest ever is, it is a bold thing to say, but that’s what I’m striving for.
“I’m not striving to be an average or mediocre player. And if I was to tell you that or anyone that, that wouldn’t be good, either. I’m striving to be the best player that has ever played the game, and I’ve been doing that for a long time, so I’m just going to keep doing that. And if I reach that goal, I do. If I don’t, then at least I know I tried.”
It’s clear the respect Wilson has for the Bulls organization. He wore a silver rose pin on draft night, an apparel choice he later confirmed was a superstitious homage to Derrick Rose. He wanted to be in Chicago, where he understands the potential for him to be not only a difference-maker but also a culture setter.
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The Bulls hit the reset button this offseason, hiring Bryson Graham as their new vice president of basketball operations and Tiago Splitter as their new head coach. On Friday, Wilson talked about leading by example; his desire to finish first in conditioning, testing and drills; and the importance of doing everything he can to earn the respect of his team.
He emphasized that he’s not taking this opportunity for granted and acknowledged that everyone’s time in the NBA is finite.
What stood out most, however, was the chip on his shoulder. It was in the room with reporters on Friday, and it took center stage when Wilson was asked if he feels he’s been underestimated, including in his evaluation compared to Dybantsa, Peterson and Boozer.
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“I played all of them, though,” Wilson said. “And you know what happened when I played them, so, I mean, it don’t really matter.
“I don’t really care about the media. I’m a competitor, and I get to play them in Summer League, too. So whatever need to be done to prove that I’m on the same level or that I’m better, we’ll do it.”
