NEW YORK (WGN) — The Chicago Bulls successfully acquired the player they were aiming for.
In alignment with predictions leading up to the 2026 NBA Draft, the Bulls selected dynamic forward Caleb Wilson from North Carolina, securing him as the No. 4 overall pick.
According to NBA.com, Wilson was widely anticipated to be the fourth selection in this year’s draft. His frequent association with the Bulls was so prevalent before the draft that he consciously avoided engaging with draft-related content online until his selection was announced.
“I tried my best to stay away from the media because I didn’t want to become too hopeful about the Bulls if it didn’t happen,” Wilson explained. “Still, I was aware there was a significant chance I could join them, and I was thrilled at the prospect. I am thankful that I now have this chance. Chicago is an amazing city.
“I’ve heard the winters can be harsh, so I’ll need to stock up on some puffer jackets and thermal gear to adapt to the weather. Overall, I’m just excited about the opportunity and feel that the city offers great potential.”
Wilson, a second-team Associated Press All-American, averaged 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks on 31.3 minutes per game as a freshman with the Tar Heels in 2025-26, but his season was cut short at 24 games after a pair of unrelated hand injuries put him on the injured list for an extended period of time.
He checks in at 6-foot-10-inches tall and weighs around 215 pounds with superb athleticism. Wilson is considered one of the best, if not the best, athletes in this draft class, and comes equipped with a high-octane work ethic. The best part of his game is his ability to run the floor with exceptional body control and fluidity, and finish with highlight-reel dunks at the rim, whether they are self-generated or the product of an alley-oop. Before being sidelined with those hand injuries, Wilson led the NCAA in dunks (66 in 24 games) at North Carolina.
Another component of his game is his surprisingly quick first step. Think Myles Garrett-level twitch going into his first dribble move. That, combined with his 7-foot wingspan, makes him a matchup nightmare when he’s on the attack, as evidenced by his 61% field goal percentage inside the arc last year.
Wilson is also looking to highlight his ability as a creator for his teammates at the next level too. When asked what part of his game wasn’t talked about enough ahead of the draft, Wilson said, “Honestly, my ability to get to the rim off of self-creation and be able to come off ball screens and dribble handoffs and create. I feel like I’m a great passer and I can create plays for others without shooting, and that’s something that I feel like is going unnoticed.”
The main areas of concern for Wilson are the development of his jump shot and adding weight to his slight frame.
He’s comfortable facing up from the midrange and using an array of quick dribble moves to create space for 15-foot jumpers or angles to slash to the rim, but his shot from downtown needs work. Wilson made only seven 3-point field goals in 24 games, and shot 26.5% from 3-point land in total.
The physicality of an 82-game NBA regular season will take a toll on Wilson until he adds more beef to his frame, and he may not be able to fully cement a small-ball center role at times until he beefs up to a 225-235-pound playing weight.
The Bulls also own the No. 15 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, and according to my colleague Michael Johnson, Chicago could be in the market for a combo-guard in the middle of the first round.