Caleb Wilson throws jab at Top 3 picks, and the UNC star had every right to

Caleb Wilson isn't backing down from any challenges and in a couple of weeks he'll get his first shot against the other top picks in the NBA Summer League.

The former Tar Heels forward had a chance to meet the Chicago media Friday and the fourth overall pick was asked about how he compares to the three players chosen before him. Mostly the opinion that the A.J. Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cam Boozer are all a little more refined in their games while Wilson is still very raw. It was something that North Carolina fans heard about Wilson before he got to Chapel Hill, and he quickly proved that his skill set is as deep as anyone in the draft class. 

READ MORE: Caleb Wilson had 48 million reasons to leave UNC despite his love for Chapel Hill

"I played all of 'em though, and you know what happened when I played them," Wilson said. "I don't really care about the media. I'm a competitor and I get to play them in the summer league too. Whatever needs to be done to prove that I'm on the same level or better...I'll do it."

Wilson has competed against all three players for years and even teamed up with Boozer on the AAU circuit when they won the Nike Peach Jam championship. They had a memorable duel in February when Wilson played all 40 minutes and scored 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting in the Tar Heels' 71-68 victory. He didn't necessarily go heads-up against Peterson, but Wilson had his "arrival" game against Kansas with a game-high 24 points (9-of-11 shooting) and seven rebounds in North Carolina's 87-74 win. Those performances showed the world that Wilson wasn't scared of the moment. If anything, he welcomed it. 

READ MORE: Caleb Wilson message shows he's not shying away from the Michael Jordan comparisons

Caleb Wilson wants to be great and he isn't going to settle

Earlier this week, Wilson said he wanted to be the GOAT in Chicago, and we all know that the Bulls already have a pretty good one. Some say he's the greatest to ever put on basketball shoes. But even Michael Jordan himself would say there's nothing wrong with wanting to be the best. Wilson's confidence doesn't come across like a gimmick. He's not trying to convince you or convince himself that he's anything he's not. He is identifying the target and the goal and that's admirable. If you're not in this to be the best, why are you bothering?

READ MORE: Caleb Wilson had a simple request for UNC fans after the Bulls took him at No. 4

"Striving for something is something that we all do. Striving to be the greatest ever is. It is a bold thing to say, but that's what I'm striving for. I'm not striving to be an average or mediocre player," Wilson added.

There's been nothing mediocre about Wilson thus far and there's no reason to think that he won't back up every word he says in the NBA. 

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