NBA Analyst: Caleb Wilson Might be Best Athlete in 2026 Draft Class

NBA analyst Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report thinks former North Carolina Tar Heel star Caleb Wilson might be the best athlete in the 2026 draft class. 

Buckley has the Chicago Bulls drafting Wilson with the fourth overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. 

"This might be the easiest decision in the entire draft, provided the Bulls agree with the widely held sentiment that there are four prospects who stand above the rest," Buckley wrote. "Chicago could just treat this like a lazy pop fly and catch whoever falls into its glove.

"Still, this isn't a by-default mock move. He looks like he was lab-created to fit their new SLAP philosophy, which prioritizes size, length, athleticism and physicality—or many of the strongest aspects of Wilson's profile.

"He might be the best athlete in this class and the hardest worker. That explosion-plus-energy combo makes full use of his physical tools, and that physicality can be captured by his perpetually growing highlight-hammer reel. Creation and shooting are questions, but his upside is enormous if he finds some answers."

Wilson averaged 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists per contest for UNC 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 that he will be included among the honored jerseys in the Smith Center rafters.

Asked what he will bring to a team at the draft combine in Chicago, Wilson said, “Leadership and focus, honestly. Of course, I can score. Of course, I can rebound and do all those things. But I feel like being a leader and really being able to kind of impact winning and impact the culture of the team is going to be something I really bring from day one."

Many draft scouts have compared Wilson to six-time NBA All-Star Jermaine O'Neal. If Wilson can have a career like O'Neal's, that would be a huge success.

Wilson only played in 24 games at UNC. 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.

Wilson arrived at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago with both hands fully healthy and a renewed appreciation for the game heading into the 2026 NBA Draft. 

“I never really felt like my hand injury was a setback,” Wilson said, via The Athletic. “Of course, I was heartbroken when it happened. But my hand’s perfectly fine now, and I feel like it offered me a different perspective on basketball in general, just because once I injured my hand, now I’m way more grateful to play. Every day I wake up and I get the opportunity to play and just be able to shoot and dribble and stuff like that. I just feel grateful for the opportunity, and I wasn’t as grateful as I am now.”

The Bulls haven't made the playoffs since 2022. If they land Wilson, Chicago's rebuild will get revved up.  

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