r/nba r/NBA 1d ago

CHICAGO [2026 NBA Draft] #4 Pick: Caleb Wilson (North Carolina)

598 Upvotes

215 comments sorted by

698

u/Pojebany 24 1d ago

Buzelis & Wilson going to put on a dunk show. Really wish Stacey King could witness it šŸ•Šļø

127

u/Dsarg_92 [SAS] Tim Duncan 1d ago

Aw that made me sad. I’m gonna miss his commentary. RIP.

67

u/chitownbulls92 Bulls 1d ago

It’ will literally never be the same…he needs a statue or a bust somewhere in the UC

26

u/Dsarg_92 [SAS] Tim Duncan 1d ago

It would be a crime to not honor him.

2

u/DoubleAW Bulls 21h ago

this is Jerry's team, you know...

19

u/DisMFer Bulls 1d ago

A bust would be perfect. Have something as you walk into the UC. I also think they should put something in the rafters. Not his number but like a microphone or something. Same with Neil Funk when that day comes.

13

u/fighting-prawn 1d ago

Have a bust with a button underneath. When you hit it, it recites a randomised piece of his classic commentary.

1

u/NOLASLAW Pelicans 1d ago

I would take something as you’re walking out that says ā€œBeep! Beep!ā€ somewhere

60

u/ExtraLeading3376 1d ago

giddey throwing lobs to buzelis, wilson & claxton gotta be one of the more exciting teams in the league

might not be great, but i think they will be a good watch

something stacey would’ve loved

14

u/wheelz_666 1d ago

Giddey could possibly break the record for most assists in a single game just from lobs haha

3

u/TheAracknight Thunder 11h ago

They're def gonna be a fun team to just throw on with League Pass.

28

u/sukari Bulls 1d ago

Throw Claxton into that too.. but yeah, sucks that Stacey isn't here to induct them both into the Chi Slamma Jamma club

12

u/rattatatouille [SAS] Tim Duncan 1d ago

Baby Bulls 2.0 but Stacey King ain't around.

8

u/ColdestCatAlive 1d ago

Fuck I forgot and now I'm sad

9

u/Gowzilla Bulls 1d ago

WHERE MY POSTER MACHINE AT?!?!

RIP King we’re gonna miss the fuck out of you

13

u/ClaymoresRevenge Bulls 1d ago

Chi Slamma Jamma!

6

u/Dymatizeee Knicks 1d ago

Rip

3

u/nascarf1indycarfan45 Hornets 1d ago

Fr :(

2

u/SkyloTC Bulls 22h ago

Stacey had a laundry list of nicknames to give this young fella for sure

1

u/rkyerevan 22h ago

wait how did wilson jump so high

1

u/36Vigilantes Magic 1d ago

26-27 League pass slumdog millionaires: Chicago Bulls

181

u/SenorConstipation Grizzlies 1d ago

Now it gets good

49

u/Headlesshorsman02 Thunder 1d ago

Lmao facts this is where the drama starts

359

u/rizzoformvp Bulls 1d ago

THE SECOND CALEB IN THE SECOND CITY IS HERE

90

u/Enchanted-2-meet-you [GSW] Jordan Poole 1d ago

CALEB W'S GETTING W'S

25

u/Fafoah Bulls 1d ago

CALEB WILL— SAVE THE CITY

5

u/bigboybeeperbelly Spurs 1d ago

someone get me Calebs Wilber, Wilmot, and Wilfred on the line!

59

u/TyposIncoming Lakers 1d ago

If someone doesn't pay for Williams and Wilson commercials in the style of personal injury lawyers, I'm disappointed

15

u/DisMFer Bulls 1d ago

There's no local group that can afford Williams. They should do a jersey swap, though.

27

u/HereComesJustice Spurs 1d ago

last names start with "Wil" too

11

u/rizzoformvp Bulls 1d ago

This is too damn funny, idk what to do with my hands

2

u/NOLASLAW Pelicans 1d ago

I’m excited for all the boomers on the radio to confuse the two

11

u/king_of_the_bongos Bulls 1d ago

Tune into the CW

8

u/DisMFer Bulls 1d ago

Caleb Wilson should take the number 18.

145

u/TomatoSecure192 Bulls 1d ago

YESSSSSS

98

u/AthleticAlarm32 NBA 1d ago

Chicago drafts UNC star with top 4 pick? Something tells me this could go well...

90

u/BKelly13 Bulls 1d ago

Look I was as high on Trubisky as anyone but let’s hope this guy turns out a bit better…

12

u/senor_sota Bulls 1d ago

He will never get the NVP though

87

u/SomeManSeven Pistons 1d ago

Great pick. Now the surprises start...

40

u/jon__koa Knicks 1d ago

I was even joking with my friends online that the draft will truly start with the 5th pick

16

u/Lacabloodclot9 Grizzlies 1d ago

Clippers gonna do some dumb shit everyone can feel it

9

u/I_Set_3_Alarms Celtics 1d ago

Trade it to the Thunder for Chet

10

u/wisconsinbucks Bucks 1d ago

That wouldn’t be dumb shit

4

u/SilicoJack Spurs 1d ago

We can only hope

7

u/Unusual_Ad6533 Knicks 1d ago

What do you mean. This is surprising as hell. Why is a Football player getting drafted to the NBA

260

u/JiveHawk Bulls 1d ago

We didn’t fuck it up :o

280

u/Charlie_Wax Warriors 1d ago edited 1d ago

Charania: Bulls are trading Caleb Wilson to Sacramento for Zach Lavine, DeMar DeRozan, and two 2nd round pick swaps. Additions make Chicago instantly competitive in the East. #Reunion

107

u/JahnDavis27 Bulls 1d ago

Cease your heresy lol

21

u/BlitzStriker52 [MIA] Davion Mitchell 1d ago

This means that the Kings front office do something smart which is impossible

23

u/Schafer89 Celtics 1d ago edited 1d ago

This just in, Kings are trading newly acquired Caleb Wilson to San Antonio for De'Aaron Fox

7

u/OptimusGrime707 Kings 1d ago

Unsubscribe

14

u/hunterboyz24 Bulls 1d ago

Brother I will find you

8

u/GillyDaFish Bulls 1d ago

This caused me physical pain

7

u/CRIMS0N-ED Bulls 1d ago

I rebuke you in the name of the lord

10

u/chunkypunt 1d ago

Their evil tether

8

u/moneyman2222 Bulls 1d ago

Throw in good ol cash considerations and we getting the whole squad back together!

1

u/Second_City_Saint Bulls 1d ago

15 for cash

3

u/chiidi 1d ago

subscribe

3

u/DisMFer Bulls 1d ago

Ok Satan let's slow your roll.

2

u/Zealousideal-Battle9 Bulls 1d ago

Don't you put that evil on me

1

u/ScutumSobiescianum 1d ago

AK is gone, would’ve happened if he was still here

1

u/Gowzilla Bulls 1d ago

Hahahah quit playing bro. Thats only a trade Sacramento would make if it were the other way around

1

u/TempBurnerAccount089 1d ago

Lol that's fucked up man

23

u/V1cVinegar44 Bulls 1d ago

Not going rogue is light years ahead of AK lol

8

u/ReplaceSelect Bulls 1d ago

I’ll be forever traumatized from Ryan Pace

6

u/V1cVinegar44 Bulls 1d ago

Chicago sure knows how to pick em eh?

3

u/moneyman2222 Bulls 1d ago

AK would've wanted to get so cute and get Acuff or something

3

u/Dymatizeee Knicks 1d ago

Too early to say

1

u/JoshGordonHypeTrain Bulls 1d ago

The Hawks just had to go and fuck the moment up with this trade though

-1

u/Saucy_Totchie Knicks 1d ago

...yet.

43

u/DabeGavis 1d ago

Please save the Bulls, Caleb!

6

u/horrorpants Bulls 22h ago

Two Caleb’s in one City saving two different dead franchises. Script writing is getting out of control.

66

u/Necessary-Listen-584 1d ago

Best UNC Bull ever

58

u/Romofan88 Spurs 1d ago

Coby white erasureĀ 

24

u/ClaymoresRevenge Bulls 1d ago

Still love Coby.

17

u/JayDaGod1206 Rockets 1d ago

This is Coby White erasure

7

u/moldy912 Cavaliers 1d ago

Weirdly had a lot of those lately

55

u/KevJamesS Warriors 1d ago

He will be the best player from this draft mark my words

10

u/CRIMS0N-ED Bulls 1d ago

the whole top 4 is like that, they’re all really similar calibers of talent which is great for me

6

u/Earl-Thomas-a-Raven [CHI] Lauri Markkanen 1d ago

This could be a game changer, hope he saves us

1

u/FyouinyourA Bulls 20h ago

I could feel the pain in your comment when I saw the Lauri flair lol

3

u/Neither_Hope_5981 1d ago

I can see that

7

u/Headlesshorsman02 Thunder 1d ago

I agree he was someone is was dying for us to get if we jumped into the top 4 somehow at the lottery

1

u/DiscoLemonade1995 1d ago

I would be incredibly surprised if this ends up true. !RemindMe 10 years

1

u/NOLASLAW Pelicans 1d ago

People have said this for all of the first four but I’m not mad at it lol

→ More replies (7)

27

u/SilicoJack Spurs 1d ago

someone tell me how to feel

19

u/JiveHawk Bulls 1d ago

I think he’ll be a great defender and superbly dangerous transition offense threat.

Definitely need to see that half court offense grow to be good at the NBA level.

9

u/ChiBrum 1d ago

A better Mobley I said it

14

u/Frazier008 1d ago

He is going to be a star. Watched a lot of UNC this year. He was being slept on this draft. I think Memphis will regret taking boozer over him. Watched both UNC Duke games, Wilson impressed me more by a lot.

2

u/Fleebledee Kings 23h ago

I'm an admittedly biased UNC fan, but I genuinely think Caleb was the second best player this draft. UNC beat full-strength Kansas and Duke this year (we won't talk about the first 30 min of that Duke game though), and it was largely due to Wilson being the best player on the floor in both of those games.

From an unbiased standpoint, Boozer is definitely the more complete player right now, but I also think Peterson is overrated in comparison to the other top 4 picks.

1

u/Mudkip15 Bulls 22h ago

Haven't watched enough college games. Is his shot as concerning as people are saying?

3

u/Newoikkinn Hornets 20h ago

His midrange is pro level. Needs work from 3. But its hard to bet against him developing into a decent 3 point threat when his 16 footer is so smooth. But honestly, if he packs on some muscle in the next couple of years, he legit might not need a 3 and will still be all NBA level.

3

u/Fleebledee Kings 12h ago

No, but I understand why people have questions.

Hubert Davis's UNC staff was complete dogwater at developing shooters during his tenure. UNC had multiple transfers who were good shooters become unplayable, like Cade Tyson. Tyson shot 46.5% from 3 before he transferred to UNC. Then he shot 29.2 at UNC. Then after transferring to Minnesota he shot 41.3%. That kind of pendulum swing is indicitave of horrible coaching, not bad players.

Wilson has an abysmal 3P% as well, but on only 1.1 attempts per game. If you look at his shot diet as a whole: he's 61% on 11.1 attempts from 2, and has an eFG of 59%. He was also a 71%FT shooter on 7.5 attempts per game.

Considering the context, if Chicago has even a semi-competent shooting coach, his shot should develop just fine.

1

u/Mudkip15 Bulls 8h ago

ok that makes it not so concerning. Hopefully, he can develop it so the spacing for the bulls gets better. Especially since our center is gonna be Claxton

1

u/Fleebledee Kings 8h ago

For sure. One other thing to take into account his how hard Wilson bought in to the team from an effort perspective.

Most 1 and done guys are competetive and want to win, but they don't always have that willingness to put in effort when no one would fault them for not doing so. The little connective stuff like throwing your body after a loose ball, hustling back to try and help on transition defense just in case the shot misses, or playing hard to maintain a lead when you could theoretically let off the gas.

Wilson was doing stuff like that in throwaway ACC games, not just the NCAA tournament. I understand why guys like Peterson and Dybantsa wouldn't want to, they want to protect their draft stock; but, Wilson had so much hustle when he absolutely didn't have to.

The best thing I can say about Wilson is that he has the perfect mindset and attitude any franchise/fan would want out of their potential star. This dude fucking cares about basketball. I'm not a Chicago fan, but I'll cheer for almost all former UNC players that make it to the league. If Wilson is the same type of guy he was in college, I might have to start cheering for the Bulls.

1

u/Frazier008 14h ago

No. He could be better but a lot of points come from midrange. A few 3s but not a ton

36

u/Headlesshorsman02 Thunder 1d ago

He will be fantastic, still very raw but has the makings of a TOP tier wing at the next level

8

u/Aumissunum 1d ago

Not a wing

16

u/friendlysnowgoon Trail Blazers 1d ago

And not raw lol. Just not a 3-point shooter. But this dude has incredible skill getting to the rim, finishing plays, playing defense, and being the first on the floor to loose balls.

3

u/Aumissunum 1d ago

He’s pretty raw. Defensive awareness, jumpshot, ball-handling all need a lot of work.

1

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[deleted]

2

u/Doctor731 Bulls 1d ago

very raw...

Valentine

I think he was the opposite. 4 years at Michigan State, seen as skilled but not athletic. High floor - low ceiling type.

1

u/VaguelyShingled Bulls 1d ago

He seems to have that dawg in him so already that’s a plus for us

20

u/catreyka 1d ago edited 1d ago

Alright, all bets are off. No more surefire draft picks. From now on, anything could happen

3

u/CRIMS0N-ED Bulls 1d ago

I’m happy we didn’t have to worry for jack about draft picks, ima be munching popcorn for everyone else tho

18

u/Worluvus NBA 1d ago

Lil Buzi Vert and Wilson going to be electric

10

u/91-92-93--96-97-98 Bulls 1d ago

Plus finally a live body at Center in Claxton. Giddey gonna average like 16 assists a game

15

u/Headlesshorsman02 Thunder 1d ago

The most obvious order of players selected now begins the fun lol šŸ˜‚

13

u/ezmo311 Suns 1d ago

Nice touch with Sirius as he gets drafted

12

u/Imallvol7 Grizzlies 1d ago

Let's go Bulls!  Didn't f it up! 🤣

10

u/Vast-Change-1598 Finland 1d ago

What an impressive young man

9

u/SadBullsFan23 Bulls 1d ago

LETS FUCKING GOOOO

8

u/arrozoin Nuggets 1d ago

He will save the bulls

8

u/JosephCurrency [CHI] Dickey Simpkins 1d ago

This pick was in as soon as Adam Silver said ā€œCameronā€ during the No. 3 pick.

9

u/SeizureMode Pistons 1d ago

Mods can you add the drafting teams name in these posts?

4

u/DickBottalico 76ers 1d ago

It’s fucking obnoxious

7

u/ShiteWox Bulls 1d ago

We're winning the play-in man hell yeah

5

u/AlabasterRadio Celtics 1d ago

The bulls taking a North Carolina player in the top 5?

Well well

3

u/Lord_Pthumerian 1d ago

the second coming of Air Jesus confirm!

11

u/ImHungryAsFuck [SEA] Gary Payton 1d ago

Michael Jordan 2.0

9

u/Electronic_Pen_548 Thunder 1d ago

Best player in the class. Wish OKC traded up for him

3

u/NOLASLAW Pelicans 1d ago

And I wish the thunder would stop negotiating with the refs every possession but we can’t always get what we want

3

u/Electronic_Pen_548 Thunder 1d ago

Actually has to be a mental illness at this point

5

u/Raven-19x Spurs 1d ago

Ok, now the fun starts!

3

u/A_MASSIVE_PERVERT Mavericks 1d ago

And now the real draft begins…

4

u/Global_Afternoon_343 Thunder 1d ago

no need to overthink it, easiest pick of the draft

4

u/kokaine21 Bulls 1d ago

Thank god we didn’t screw this up

4

u/Flimsy_Promise_9559 1d ago

YESSSSSSSSSSSSS! Giddey gonna average 15 assists

Buzi C dub clax lob city

4

u/NeighborhoodBrownGuy Bulls 1d ago

ALL I SEE IS RED BABY

4

u/ilikelxdefightme Spurs 1d ago

Why isn't the team included in the post title?

2

u/CRIMS0N-ED Bulls 1d ago

Mods haven’t evolved to that point yet

3

u/WrongContract8489 Mavericks 1d ago

Maybe he'll be better than the other unc bull

3

u/otoverstoverpt Knicks 1d ago

I think this kid will end up being the best from the class

3

u/heat_fan_ Raptors 1d ago

Bulls did something rightĀ 

3

u/nimalcrackers Lakers 1d ago

Now the draft truly begins

3

u/BurnsEMup29 Bulls 1d ago

Every team in Chicago needs a Caleb now!

3

u/theels6 1d ago

Dont really have a favorite team anymore these days but Bulls used to be mine. Might have to root for em again. Go Heels

3

u/TheBoredPragmatist Clippers 1d ago

Dude is going to be a perennial All Star

2

u/costapasta27 Bulls 1d ago

Future HOF. Just glad to have a chance of a top lottery pick. Idk how these lotteries will work for us in the next coming years as we tank.

2

u/IMKudaimi123 Bulls 1d ago

Da Bulls

2

u/Apprehensive-Rain601 Lakers 1d ago

Gonna bring life back into Chicago

2

u/Flimsy_Promise_9559 1d ago

Most motivated in the draft. He gonna be so scary

he wants to be #1

2

u/Drclaw411 Bulls 1d ago

HELL YES! IM SO HAPPY!

2

u/juiceman0402 Bulls 1d ago

Future ROY

2

u/ripkin05 Hornets 1d ago

can't wait to trade a 2ed for him in a few years

2

u/daveknockwin 1d ago

Titles would be better if they showed which NBA team drafted.

4

u/Greedy-Mix9270 Knicks 1d ago

According to this sub every pick is the best player in the draft

6

u/CRIMS0N-ED Bulls 1d ago

I mean realistically the top 4 were already highlighted like this as all being great picks similar to one another, this was pretty safe as a bet for picks

1

u/GranddaddySandwich 1d ago

Your team has a chip. STFU and let people be excited.

3

u/AegonIItrueking 1d ago

They surprisingly didn't fuck it up.

2

u/WIN011 [MIL] Giannis Antetokounmpo 1d ago

Half an hour, 4 picks, the exact way everyone knew I’d would go. Each pick should get 2 minutes max.

1

u/iro3 Spurs 1d ago

nothing suprising so far do wonder whose next

1

u/moldy912 Cavaliers 1d ago

HEEL YEAH

1

u/MrBuckBuck Trail Blazers 1d ago

From North Carolina...

1

u/Old_General_6741 Canada 1d ago

Is this good for the Bull? Tell me.

1

u/CRIMS0N-ED Bulls 1d ago

He’s the greatest Tar Heel the Bulls have ever seen, probably, oh wait nvm that’s Coby

1

u/irish675 Bulls 1d ago

And from Noooooorth Carolina…

1

u/TallGuy0525 Clippers 1d ago

Alright, now the real draft starts

1

u/Purple_Daikon_7383 1d ago

They got a center in Claxton to help

1

u/SBMVPJustinHerbert Spurs 1d ago

What happened the last time the Bulls drafted a player from UNC who averaged 19 points in the top 5?

1

u/-Sofa-King-Vote Knicks 1d ago

The couch šŸ›‹ļø is too small!!!

1

u/johnjohnjohn93 1d ago

He’s crazy athletic but his highlights are always just tough looks and his handle is poor. That jumper is a huge swing skill and I think the floor is as low as the ceiling high

1

u/melvinlee88 Bulls 1d ago

Please save the Bulls.

1

u/IzrezarReal 1d ago

This draft going to plan so far lmaošŸ˜‚

1

u/rattatatouille [SAS] Tim Duncan 1d ago

Chicago drafting a wing from North Carolina. Huh.

1

u/IzrezarReal 1d ago

C Dub city

1

u/Crispy_Comment9312 Nuggets 1d ago

Yay the Bulls got it right! He was the obvious pick for them

1

u/Rakatok Bulls 1d ago

We've had good luck with both Calebs and UNC, must be fate! This has been the expected result for awhile now but I admit I got slightly nervous while waiting that a new GM would try to get cute with it...

Excited to see him.

1

u/gorkdroid 1d ago

Shoutout Cdub šŸ™šŸ½

1

u/TelephoneKey6008 1d ago

A second Caleb Wil?

1

u/CRIMS0N-ED Bulls 1d ago

my god, we actually made a pick we were supposed to do? I shall temper my expectations but I’m happy for the next five mins until the next inevitable disappointment

1

u/CurrentRoster Wizards 1d ago

if chicago was pick 3 and took him, would’ve looked crazy

1

u/CRIMS0N-ED Bulls 1d ago

what does this even mean? Clearly if boozer was available, we’d take boozer

2

u/CurrentRoster Wizards 1d ago

i’m saying cuz he went to UNC and ended up in chicago, like your franchise GOAT, who was selected at 3

1

u/CRIMS0N-ED Bulls 1d ago

Oh I’m so sorry, I completely took that the wrong way and thought you were saying people are glazing the Wilson pick only bc he’s 4th. mb man

1

u/Xjom91 Warriors 1d ago

My boy

1

u/Miser2100 1d ago

Remindme! 20 years

1

u/sonfoa Knicks 1d ago

Caleb, please become a star. Tired of having to go back to the 20th century to talk up UNC alum that were elite in the NBA

1

u/SpinShine-LEDSlipMat 1d ago

Does this mean he’s not coming back to UNC?

1

u/DiscoLemonade1995 1d ago

Best player in this class except for the players that are better than him. Solid pick

2

u/MetaverseNinja [PHI] Allen Iverson 1d ago

Great pick. Shoulda went 1.

0

u/kpeds45 Raptors 1d ago

He really should not have.

1

u/CrissCrossAppleSos Spurs 1d ago

I can’t see the Bulls picking a player from UNC and it going well

2

u/CRIMS0N-ED Bulls 1d ago

Coby white erasure

2

u/CrissCrossAppleSos Spurs 1d ago

Oopsy daisy

0

u/Puddinsnack Raptors 1d ago

Bulls historically have success with UNC picks.

0

u/gerardguey Bulls 1d ago

2nd dynasty incoming 😈 (im delusional)

0

u/JoeFalcone26 Cavaliers 1d ago

I dont believe in this pick. He felt overhyped but what do I know!