Just when we thought the Caleb Wilson injury news couldn't get worse for North Carolina fans, Pete Thamel has provided an update that straight up stinks. Matter of fact, it makes things sting even more ahead of tip-off against Duke.
Caleb Wilson reacts to his season-ending injury with emotional social media post
Per Thamel, Wilson got hurt during practice on Thursday and it happened during a trill where it was two-on-zero, with no defender on him. He went up to throw down a jam in style, but he hit the tip of his thumb on the rim.
He was able to finish practice, but he was quite sore on Friday, leading to him meeting with team doctors. Then, it was revealed he indeed broke a bone and needed surgery. On top of that, Thamel is reporting that Wilson appeared to be on track to play vs. Duke on Saturday in what would have been a highly-anticipated return. You've just got to be kidding:
Latest on the injury to UNC’s Caleb Wilson from @CollegeGameDay. pic.twitter.com/GVSI7eMTSV
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) March 7, 2026
New details on the Caleb Wilson injury makes things even worse for North Carolina
"I've been told that Caleb Wilson is devastated by this injury," Thamel said live on ESPN's College GameDay. "He badly both wanted to return to play in Cameron Indoor Stadium tonight and for UNC's postseason run."
At the end of the day, this turned out to be a freak accident and it's one that has cost Wilson the rest of the season. Not only that, but the wide expectation is that Wilson won't return to Chapel Hill next year and that he'll instead hit the NBA Draft - he's projected to be a Top 5 pick.
When he first got hurt against Miami last month, it also came on an unlucky play. The Tar Heels have been without Wilson for six games now, finding ways to win five of those contests. It's been a total group effort and now the locker room must brace for the rest of the year without the freshman sensation.
Things of course are not going to be easy and you've also got to feel pretty bad for Wilson. As Thamel noted, the youngster is 'devastated' by his injury. It must be crushing him that he can't be on the floor with the rest of his teammates. We've said it once and we'll say it again, this simply was not the way his UNC playing days were supposed to end.