Even though Caleb Wilson's season came to a premature end after a couple of bad-luck hand injuries, there was no doubt that he was going to be a high lottery pick and ESPN's updated big board now solidifies Wilson has a top-five pick.
Wilson, a five-star recruit who became a second-team All-American, is projected to be selected fourth overall. The NBA Draft order won't be determined for another month, but if WIlson's spot at No. 4 holds and the lottery odds go to form, Wilson will be selected by the Utah Jazz or Sacramento Kings.
ESPN's latest NBA Draft Big Board, via @JeremyWoo:
— SleeperHoops (@Sleeper_Hoops) April 9, 2026
1. AJ Dybantsa - BYU
2. Darryn Peterson - Kansas
3. Cam Boozer - Duke
4. Caleb Wilson - North Carolina
5. Keaton Wagler - Illinois
AJ overtakes DP 👀😳 pic.twitter.com/ybqdFYpvKI
Caleb Wilson is a projected top-five NBA Draft pick
Wilson turned out to be even better than advertised and the general belief is that if the 6-foot-10 forward stayed healthy, the Tar Heels could've been a Final Four team and at least would've made it into the second weekend. He averaged 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game and shot nearly 58 percent from the floor, showing elite talent around the basket and an advanced mid-range game.
As good as Wilson was this season and as nice as being a top-five pick is going to be, I wonder if he could've climbed higher in projections with a postseason. There seems to be a growing consensus that BYU's AJ Dybantsa is going to be the No. 1 overall pick, and he certainly deserves that honor. Kansas' Darryn Peterson might be the most talented player in the draft, but he's a mercurial personality and the questions about how much he loves basketball are legitimate.
If Dybantsa and Peterson are the undisputed top two guys, can Wilson squeeze past Camden Boozer for the No. 3 slot? Boozer is a much more refined offensive player and, in many ways, it feels like you know what you're getting with him. Wilson has more athletic upside and if he can improve his outside shot from where it was this season, which was around 26 percent, to at least 35 percent, he could prove to be the better pick over the long-term.
Either way, Wilson had a great season while it lasted and will be a beloved Tar Heel. It will be exciting to watch his journey in the pros.