The No. 4 overall pick has high expectations for himself in Chicago.
Chicago Bulls forward Caleb Wilson has yet to play an NBA game, but he hasn't shied away from putting the weight of the franchise on his shoulders.
From his first press conference in the Windy City, Wilson has been adamant that he's going to be the best player in the NBA, even saying he's ready to be Chicago's next "G.O.A.T." While it's far too early to know for sure just how good Wilson will be, that level of confidence — maybe even delusion — is necessary to become a true NBA superstar.
Wilson has some more concrete goals for himself as well, besides becoming the greatest basketball player of all time. In an interview with the NBA's social media account on X (formerly Twitter), the No. 4 overall pick chose a pair of significant individual achievements and a team accomplishment as the three feats he most wants out of his time in the league.
"Three things I want to accomplish in my NBA career as a whole is MVP, All-Defensive First Team and a championship," Wilson said.
Only two players in Chicago Bulls history have won the league's Most Valuable Player award. Michael Jordan took home the trophy in 1988, 1991, 1992, 1996 and 1998, while Derrick Rose became the youngest player ever to win MVP in 2011.
May 31, 1998; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan (23), right, is guarded by Indiana Pacers player Reggie Miller (31) in the second half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Anne Ryan-USA TODAY The Bulls have had a variety of players named to the All-Defensive First Team. Jordan was selected nine times throughout his career, from 1988 to 1993 and 1996 to 1998. The 1996 All-Defensive First Team also featured Dennis Rodman and Scottie Pippen, the latter of whom earned seven consecutive nods from 1992 to 1998.
Prior to Chicago's dynastic run, Jerry Sloan earned First Team All-Defense honors in 1969, 1972, 1974 and 1975, and Norm Van Lier was selected in 1974, 1976 and 1977. Two Bulls players have landed on the All-Defensive First Team in the 21st century: Joakim Noah (2013 and 2014) and Alex Caruso (2023).
Winning a championship is more elusive than any of those individual goals, as it's the ultimate achievement in sports that all athletes aspire to reach. The Bulls made it look easy in the 1990s by winning six rings in eight years, but Chicago's long road back to the mountaintop since then shows that reaching the championship is more difficult than ever. Chicago has played in the Eastern Conference Finals just once since 1998 and has not reached the NBA Finals this century.
Fortunately for Wilson, he'll get to see all six of the Bulls' championship banners when he walks into the practice facility and the United Center each day. Perhaps that will serve as additional motivation in order to return the franchise to its former place atop the NBA.
