Bulls Announce Awful News About Former UNC Star Caleb Wilson

The Chicago Bulls announced on Thursday that former UNC star Caleb Wilson fractured his right hand on Wednesday against the San Antonio Spurs and will undergo surgery.

Wilson will likely be re-evaluated in three weeks and could miss 4-6 weeks.

Wilson appeared in 24 games for UNC last season. He averaged 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists per contest while shooting 57.8% from the field, 25.9% from beyond the arc and 71.3% from the free-throw line. 

Wilson was named a second-team Associated Press All-American, a distinction that will ensure he is included among the honored jerseys in the Smith Center rafters.

On Feb. 10, Wilson broke a bone in his left hand when he attempted to block a shot and fell to the ground. Then, on March 5, Wilson fractured his right thumb when he struck the rim during a practice drill.

This is awful news for Wilson, who is averaging 18.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game this season and shooting 42.0% overall, 32.4% from 3 and 73.2% from the foul line. 

The Bulls, of course, drafted UNC legend Michael Jordan with the third overall pick in the 1984 draft. Jordan is universally recognized as the greatest basketball player of all time. He won five MVPs, six championships, six Finals MVPs, 10 scoring titles and one Defensive Player of the Year with Chicago.

Jordan is first in NBA history in points per game in the regular season and playoffs. He holds the NBA record for the most points (63) scored in a playoff game. Jordan went 6-0 in the NBA Finals and three-peated twice with the Bulls in the ’90s.

A dynamic athlete, Wilson received mental tips from NBA icon LeBron James ahead of his rookie season with the Bulls. Wilson trained with LeBron in the summer since both players are with Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group.

LeBron is first in NBA history in points, field goals, games and minutes. He’s the only player to rank top five all-time in points and assists, the only player to win three Finals MVPs with three teams, the only player with 40,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 10,000 career assists and the only player to score 50,000 points combining the regular season and playoffs. LeBron was the right guy for Wilson to train with ahead of his rookie NBA season.

Hopefully, we get to see Wilson play again this season. The Bulls are awful, but it was fun watching Wilson follow in Jordan's footsteps.