Caleb Wilson just reminded UNC fans his love for the Heels will never go away

Caleb Wilson's amazing season with North Carolina ended too soon with a hand injury and his absence down the stretch contributed to the Tar Heels' early tournament exit. But the second-team All-American's basketball life is just beginning and will continue in the NBA, where he could potentially be a top-five lottery pick in the upcoming draft.

Despite the disappointing end to an otherwise great season, Wilson is forever a Tar Heel and while Michigan and UConn were celebrating their Final Four wins in Indianapolis, the 19-year-old star forward is back on the grind and doing it at the place that he has taken in as his home — the Smith Center.

Caleb Wilson is back and training in the Smith Center

Tar Heel fans everywhere are rooting for greatness from Wilson. He came into the program as a highly-touted five-star prospect and from the start it was clear that the teenager from Atlanta was a special talent. He averaged19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds as a freshman, making a formidable front court with Henri Veesaar. 

Wilson fractured his left hand on February 10 against the Miami Hurricanes and there was hope that he would be able to return to play in the ACC tournament. But, while working his way back from that injury, Wilson broke his thumb in early March and was done for the season.

It's a great case of 'what might've been'. Had Wilson been healthy for the stretch run, the Tar Heels would likely win a couple more games in the conference tournament and improve their seeding. Instead, North Carolina was a sixth seed and drew a tough first-round matchup against VCU, which the Tar Heels lost in overtime after blowing a huge lead. If Wilson is on the floor, North Carolina doesn't lose early, the Tar Heels are likely a higher seed playing into the second weekend, and they might have been competing in the Final Four this past weekend. 

As things stand, North Carolina dismissed coach Hubert Davis and are searching for the right guy to help  the Tar Heels return to the standard that fans expect. But Wilson's return to the court reminds us all that his is forever a Tar Heel and things could've been so much different.