On the basketball court, Caleb Wilson seems to check off all the boxes.
Size-✅
Athleticism- ✅
Basketball IQ-✅
Talent-✅
Shooting ability-✅
Lockdown defender-✅
Playmaker-✅
The list could go on and on.
All of these factors play a role into why Wilson was one of the most highly-sought after prospects among the 2025 recruiting class. Fortunately, Wilson's recruitment guided him to Chapel Hill, a place he hopes to make a name for himself during his college basketball career (however long that ends up being).
Prior to North Carolina
Wilson earned Gatorade Player of the Year honors in the state of Georgia during his senior season, a year in which he also finished as a Naismith Trophy semifinalist. He led Holy Innocents Episcopal School to a 27-4 record and a private school state title, ultimately earning a spot in both the McDonald's All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic. In the Jordan Brand Classic, Wilson led Team Air to a victory, finishing the game with 28 points to go along with 6 rebounds.
As a senior, Wilson posted insane numbers. He averaged 21.7 points, 11.1 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 3.6 blocks and 2.1 steals per game, following up a junior season in which he yet again averaged a double-double. He wrapped up his high school career with 1,836 total points and 1,168 rebounds.
What to Expect in 2025-2026
The spotlight will be on Wilson, which is totally expected given his reputation that he's developed on the basketball court. Given what we know about the true freshman, he's more than ready for the challenge, as he will be a focal point of the Tar Heels starting lineup from day one.
You can expect Wilson to be on the floor a lot, as he truly is a matchup nightmare for opposing teams on both ends of the floor. On offense, Wilson can drive to the basket or can beat you in the mid-range game, as you might even see him play some "point forward" where he handles the ball on occasion.
Defensively, Wilson takes pride in being an elite defender, having the ability to guard multiple positions while being a force in the paint in terms of blocking/altering shots.
It's safe to say that the Tar Heels' success this season will be heavily reliant on what the newcomers can bring to the table, especially Wilson, a guy who might just be the best overall player on this year's squad.
Bold Prediction
Wilson's stay in Chapel Hill will only last one season.
No, we don't think he will follow Ian Jackson's path, but instead, will be more like Drake Powell in terms of how he departs UNC.
Mark it down now: Caleb Wilson will be a top-7 draft pick in the 2026 NBA Draft class.