Former UNC Star Caleb Wilson Earns Promising Rookie Ranking

Former North Carolina Tar Heels star forward Caleb Wilson has played well at the start of his rookie campaign in the NBA. Wilson only spent one season with the Tar Heels before the Chicago Bulls selected him with the fourth overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Through eight games, Wilson has proven his value on both ends of the floor, averaging 19.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.9 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game, shooting 40.9 percent from the field and 30.2 percent from three.

With his play, NBA.com has ranked him fourth on the rookie ladder, only trailing Cameron Boozer, Yaxel Lendeborg, and Darius Acuff Jr. for the top spot. It will be a tight race, as plenty of rookies are playing extremely well to start the 2026-27 season.

Wilson is still in the mix for Rookie of the Year and is well-positioned to put up numbers, as the Bulls are among the worst teams in the NBA. 

Wilson showcased his talent in the 2025-26 season, as he was a Consensus All-American and named to the All-ACC Team, averaging 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 57.8 percent from the floor and 25.9 percent from distance.

His two-way impact has translated to the NBA, but he hasn't been as efficient. If Wilson can get his efficiency from the field closer to how he played at North Carolina, it will help him compete for the Rookie of the Year Award.

The other former Tar Heels to win the Rookie of the Year Award include Bob McAdoo, Walter Davis, Phil Ford, Michael Jordan, and Vince Carter. This would be an exclusive list for Wilson to join if he can secure the award.

Wilson had a chance to join those games after he led North Carolina to a 24-9 record, but the team lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Wilson's late-season injuries kept him out of the tournament, and the early exit led the program to make some changes.

The Tar Heels fired head coach Hubert Davis and brought in former Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone to take over. Malone has done a great job so far, as he helped build a talented roster, giving them a chance to compete in the 2026-27 season.

North Carolina looks set for a strong first season under Malone, while Wilson will be competing for the NBA Rookie of the Year Award.