CHARLOTTE — Locker rooms are open to media members for 30 minutes after games at the 2026 ACC Tournament.
Following UNC basketball’s 80-79 loss to Clemson in the quarterfinals, injured freshman star Caleb Wilson was briefly in the locker room at Spectrum Center with the rest of his Tar Heel teammates.
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Following his eighth straight game on the sideline, including the last two with a season-ending right thumb injury that required surgery, Wilson answered one question – and appeared willing to answer more – before he was told by an ACC communications official that injured players aren’t required to speak to reporters.
TAKEAWAYS: UNC basketball can’t complete comeback vs Clemson in ACC tournament
Asked how he’s been feeling the past few days, Wilson said “pretty bad” and continued his answer for 27 seconds before he left the locker room.
“Just trying to look on the bright side,” Wilson said with a smile.
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“Trying to cheer my teammates on, but it’s a journey. I broke my hand and then I broke my other one. Kind of ironic, but I have a good support system and I got my guy (Ivan Matlekovic), so it’s great.”
The Atlanta native finished his freshman season as UNC’s leading scorer (19.8 points per game) and rebounder (9.4 rebounds per game) after 24 games with the Tar Heels. In his final full game at UNC, Wilson scored 23 points to go with four rebounds, two assists and two steals in the Tar Heels’ 71-68 win against Duke at the Smith Center on Feb. 7.
UNC has a 5-3 record without Wilson, but the 19th-ranked Tar Heels (24-8) have lost back-to-back games for the first time since their trip to California in mid-January.
UNC will find out its 2026 NCAA Tournament destination on Sunday, March 15. The Selection Show is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. ET on CBS and can be streamed on Fubo.
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Rodd Baxley covers North Carolina Tar Heels athletics for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding UNC? Send them to rbaxley@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Caleb Wilson discusses injury after UNC loss to Clemson in ACC tournament
