Wilson: Bulls' Top Pick
Bulls Draft Caleb Wilson No. 4 in 2026 NBA Draft, Betting on All-Star Potential
Caleb Wilson, a 6-foot-9 power forward from Atlanta, was selected No. 4 overall by the Chicago Bulls in the 2026 NBA Draft on June 23. USA Today reports Wilson grew up in Atlanta and played his high school basketball at Holy Innocents' Episcopal School in Sandy Springs, Georgia. He averaged 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game at the University of North Carolina before entering the draft.
Wilson arrived at Holy Innocents' as a wiry sophomore and left as a McDonald's All-American and Mr. Georgia Basketball winner. He committed to North Carolina over Kentucky and Ohio State in January 2025 — live on NBA on TNT — before leading his school to an 84-45 state championship win with 33 points and 13 rebounds, The Chicago Bulls and analysts confirm.
Holy Innocents' Episcopal School Produced an NBA Top-5 Pick
Holy Innocents' Episcopal School sits in Sandy Springs, a suburb just north of Atlanta. That is where Wilson honed his game from his sophomore year onward. By his senior season in 2024-25, he was one of the most recruited players in the country. He picked North Carolina over Kentucky and Ohio State, making his announcement on national television.
Wilson capped his high school career in style. He poured in 33 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead Holy Innocents' to the Georgia private school state championship, winning 84-45. That performance cemented his status as a consensus top-10 national recruit, according to recruiting analysts tracking his rise.
One Big Season at UNC, Then Two Broken Bones
Wilson's college career was short but explosive. He averaged 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game for the Tar Heels. Why Chicago Bulls selected Caleb Wilson notes he shot 64.5% on 2-point attempts in ACC play, taking 19.3 such shots per 100 possessions. He was the first UNC freshman to earn at least Second-Team All-America since Tyler Hansbrough in 2006.
The season ended early due to injury — twice. First, Wilson broke a bone in his left hand against Miami on February 10. Then, during practice on March 5, he broke his right thumb striking the rim on a dunk. He missed the final nine games of the year. He still declared for the draft on April 14, saying the injuries gave him "a new perspective" on how much he loves basketball.
Bulls Bet on Elite Physical Tools Over Polished Skills
Chicago chose Wilson because of his raw physical upside. He measured 6 feet 9.25 inches without shoes at the NBA Combine, with a 7-foot-0.25-inch wingspan and a 9-foot standing reach. His max vertical was 39.5 inches. ESPN's Jay Bilas compared his feel for the game to Pascal Siakam, saying Wilson "isn't just a rim runner" and has "a feel for the pass that you don't see in many 19-year-olds."
Not everyone is sold. Critics point out that Wilson shot just 25.9% from three and was often beaten on the perimeter in ACC play. His free-throw shooting sat at 71.3%, a red flag for a player with point-forward ambitions. The New York Times notes the Bulls see an All-Star ceiling, but Wilson's defense and shot creation will need to grow to get there.
Wilson Joins a Bulls Roster Pivoting Toward Youth
Wilson's rookie contract at the No. 4 slot is expected to run four years at roughly $40 million to $44 million. The Bulls have lacked an athletic, dynamic forward who can play both the power forward and small-ball center roles. Wilson fits that mold immediately, and his arrival signals Chicago is moving away from aging veterans toward a younger identity.
Analysts expect Wilson to spend his rookie year as a "play finisher" — catching passes near the basket and converting — while he develops his outside shot and on-ball defense. If he can improve those areas, ca.sports.yahoo.com and other outlets see a future All-Star in Chicago, following a path similar to Siakam's slow-burn development into a star.
Sentiment
NeutralPublishers
7
Articles
3
Reach
7
