Tar Heel Nation is buzzing right now, thanks to a record-setting performance from Caleb Wilson in his NBA Summer league debut.
Wilson, the fourth overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft, netted 35 points in his Chicago Bulls‘ 97-96, Friday night loss vs. Cameron Boozer’s Memphis Grizzles. Wilson added five rebounds, three blocks and two steals, showcasing his ability to impact the game anywhere.
On Saturday morning, Wilson also found himself a member of the SportsCenter Top 10, earning the third spot with his chase-down block of Grizzlies guard Javon Small.
SportsCenter Top 10 is a daily program, showcasing the 10 plays from games the day before. Home run robberies, insane touchdown catches and slam dunks are frequent finders on this exclusive list.
UNC basketball fans became quickly accustomed to these big games from Wilson, who chased down multiple opponents in a Carolina Blue uniform last season. Wilson is the type of player who can throw down thunderous dunks and, the very next possession, sprint back to make big defensive plays.
Watch how fast Caleb Wilson got down the floor for this SWAT 😱
Left the @NBAonPrime crew astonished! pic.twitter.com/ZJavw1sO9e
— NBA (@NBA) July 11, 2026
When the regular season rolls around, Wilson should be a Day One Starter, particularly if he replicates Friday’s production throughout Summer League. Wilson likely splits time at power forward with Patrick Williams, the 2020 NBA Draft’s fourth overall pick, while playing alongside Josh Giddey, Norman Powell, Matas Buzelis and Nic Claxton in the starting lineup.
Wilson averaged 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks per game during his lone season in Chapel Hill, which ended prematurely with a broken hand before the Duke rematch.
If Wilson stayed healthy, imagine how far the Tar Heels go in NCAA Tournament action. Playing for the first time in five months on Friday, he showed the basketball world exactly why he’ll be an NBA star for years to come.
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Caleb Wilson’s chase-down block named one of Friday night’s top plays
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