Caleb Wilson heard three names called before his on NBA Draft night. If the early Rookie of the Year buzz around him is any indication, the former Tar Heel might just have the last laugh.
Wilson has quickly climbed the betting boards ahead of his first season with the Chicago Bulls. Some sportsbooks currently list Wilson as the favorite to win the 2026-27 NBA Rookie of the Year award, while others, unsurprisingly, have him firmly among the heavy favorites.
Of course, betting odds don't determine who will ultimately take home the hardware. Wilson hasn't even played an official NBA game yet, and an entire season stands between the preseason hype and actually winning the award.
However, there's plenty of reason to believe the hype surrounding the former Tar Heel is justified.
Here are three reasons why Caleb Wilson has a legitimate chance to turn his rapidly rising stock into NBA Rookie of the Year honors.
The opportunity for Caleb Wilson is there from Day 1
Talent is obviously a major factor in winning Rookie of the Year, but opportunity can be just as important. Wilson should have plenty of both in Chicago.
Unlike some other highly touted rookies entering situations where they'll have to compete for touches, Wilson joins a Bulls organization that has every reason to make him a focal point of its future.
Chicago didn't use the No. 4 overall selection on Wilson to have him sit in the corner and watch. He'll play, and he should have plenty of opportunities to work through the inevitable growing pains that come with being a 20-year-old rookie.
The pieces around him could help, too.
While Chicago's roster doesn't feature any players who you would consider "superstars," playing alongside a facilitator like Josh Giddey should create opportunities for Wilson around the basket and in transition. At the same time, another young stud like Matas Buzelis gives Chicago another young building block who can take some offensive pressure off. Wilson's athleticism and versatility fit well alongside both players as the Bulls continue building their young core.
For Rookie of the Year purposes, the surrounding pieces do matter.
Wilson doesn't necessarily have to be the most polished player in his draft class from the opening tip. If he plays significant minutes and gets consistent touches, he'll have every opportunity to produce the kind of numbers that keep him firmly in the award conversation.
Summer League gave us a glimpse of what could be coming
No, we shouldn't start preparing Wilson's Hall of Fame speech based on four games in Las Vegas. However, good luck telling Bulls fans not to get excited about what they saw.
Wilson wasted absolutely no time introducing himself to the professional basketball world, erupting for 35 points in his summer league debut against Memphis. He made 12 of 21 field-goal attempts and drilled seven three-pointers on 11 attempts.
Let that last number sink in for a second.
Wilson made seven three-pointers in his Summer League debut, matching his total from his entire freshman season at North Carolina. That alone should grab everyone's attention.
The perimeter shot was one of the biggest questions surrounding Wilson as he entered the NBA. Nobody questioned the athleticism, ability to finish around the rim, or the energy he brought to the floor during his lone season in Chapel Hill.
If the three-point shot becomes another legitimate weapon in his arsenal, though? Look out!
What makes it even more impressive is this: Wilson's performance wasn't simply a one-game explosion. He balled out throughout the summer league.
Over four Summer League appearances, Wilson averaged 23.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 2.5 blocks while shooting 50 percent from the field and 41.9 percent from three-point range. His performance earned him a spot on the NBA All-Summer League First Team.
Summer League success doesn't guarantee NBA success, but Wilson showed exactly why Chicago was comfortable using the fourth overall selection on him. More importantly, he may have shown that his offensive game is developing faster than anyone anticipated.
Wilson doesn't need to score to impact winning
Here's what could ultimately separate Wilson from some of the other contenders in this Rookie of the Year race:
There are a lot of different ways for him to affect a basketball game.
Wilson averaged 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds during his lone season in Chapel Hill, but his impact went well beyond the scoring column. His length, athleticism, and motor allow him to rebound, protect the rim, create turnovers, and run the floor.
We saw more of the same in Las Vegas during summer league action. That matters because some nights the shots won't fall, but great players can still make their mark in other ways.
Wilson can go 5-for-15 from the field and still make his presence felt by grabbing 10 rebounds, blocking three shots, creating a steal or two, and bringing the type of energy that can change a game.
Of course, the NBA season is a long one, and plenty can change between now and the final day of the regular season. However, Caleb Wilson is plenty motivated and has the traits needed to ultimately be the league's top rookie, as Tar Heel fans know very well that he loves to prove all the doubters wrong.
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