NBA Execs Envision Caleb Wilson Developing Into Best Player From 2026 Draft Class

NBA executives envision former North Carolina Tar Heels star Caleb Wilson developing into the best player from the 2026 draft class. 

Wilson will a top-four pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. 

"Although Wilson did not receive any votes in our poll, several of the respondents said they can envision Wilson developing into the best player in the draft," Josh Robbins and David Aldridge of The Athletic wrote. 

Wilson appeared in 24 games for UNC this past 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.

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.

The Chicago Bulls, who haven't made the playoffs since 2022, are widely expected to take Wilson with the fourth overall pick. 

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. 

The Washington Wizards have the first overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. They can take Wilson, Cameron Boozer, AJ Dybantsa or Darryn Peterson.

After the Wizards, it's the Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies and Bulls. Wilson will not go past No. 4. 

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."  

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