One of the Bulls' most legendary power forwards shared his excitement for what Caleb Wilson brings to the table.
Former Chicago Bulls power forward Horace Grant became a three-time NBA champion with the franchise before leaving as an unrestricted free agent to join the Orlando Magic in the summer of 1994.
Seven years with the Bulls made him an NBA icon and one of the most beloved players in Bulls history, his disappointing exit from the team not withstanding.
Grant made waves with his iconic goggles, toughness in the paint and on defense, and mid-range jump shot.
Now, judging by his latest comments, he believes that Bulls rookie Caleb Wilson has a strong chance to make a similar, if not far bigger, impact in the Windy City.
Jun 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver greets the fourth pick in the 2026 NBA draft, North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson after he was selected by the Chicago Bulls at Barclays Center. Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images "One of the Greatest Choices"
Grant could not contain his excitement for the Wilson era in Chicago as he revealed his thoughts on the Bulls' fourth overall pick out of North Carolina.
Wilson made the All-NBA Summer League Team this summer while electrifying crowds with dunks, steals, blocks, and a menacing all-around presence.
"What a beast. What a freakin' beast. He has all the intangibles, the skillset," Grant said in an interview with Kyle Odegard of Action Network.
"But what I love about him is that he has the mindset of a killer. A dog. He goes out and gets it.
"It's one of the best draft picks since Derrick Rose," Grant added.
"I'm not going to put him with MJ and myself and Pip, but since Derrick Rose, one of the greatest choices the Bulls have made, in my humble opinion."
Bulls Need More, Grant Says
The Bulls' future is looking up after the selection of Wilson, but there are still more pieces they need to add, he said, while also looking forward to the synergy he can bring to the lineup.
"When you showcase yourself like that, especially in the Summer League, it gives us Bulls fans hope that he will be one of those pieces along with Josh (Giddey) and (Matas) Buzelis," he said.
"There are more pieces that we need, but man, what I saw in Vegas, he's the real deal."
Wilson and the Bulls will have a chance to show what they can do as a cohesive unit starting on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at the United Center in their first preseason game against the Phoenix Suns, the team Grant's Bulls defeated for the NBA championship in 1993.
Grant's Nephew Approves of Splitter
Grant's nephew, NBA forward Jerami Grant, played under new Bulls coach Tiago Splitter in Portland and has given him his stamp of approval.
"I haven't talked to (Splitter) as of yet," Horace Grant said. "I'm pretty sure he's still trying to get pieces around him, as far as assistant coaches, player development guys. But the craziest thing is he coached my nephew down in Portland.
"My nephew put a check box on him. A great individual, knows how to coach, knows how to relate to his players. The Bulls are going to have a very young core group of guys, so I think he's the perfect guy for the job."
Splitter coached all but one game last season and led the Blazers to 42 wins in 81 games (42-39), qualifying for the playoffs in a stacked Western Conference.
Hope springs eternal for Bulls fans and former players like Horace Grant, who preached patience with the team's young core going forward.
"The city is going to have to stay patient, because they are a very young crew," he said.
"I tell people this when Scottie and I first got there in '87, we were getting our heads knocked in by the Detroit Pistons almost every year. It took patience. It took trust in each other, and then the rest is history."
