March 21, 2026, 5:00 p.m. ET
There’s currently a million questions surrounding the UNC men’s basketball program, perhaps none greater than if Hubert Davis should remain head coach.
The Tar Heels (24-9, 12-6 ACC), who once looked like a National Championship contender, steadily fell out of contention when Caleb Wilson suffered a season-ending thumb injury. Reports pointed to Wilson returning for the Duke rematch, but he fractured his thumb – and North Carolina lost its first of three straight.
There’s hope Wilson returns to the Tar Heels for another season, but he’s a projected lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. According to basketball insider Jake Fischer, there’s talk of Wilson possibly leap-frogging fellow freshman stars AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer and/or Darryn Peterson.
“I don’t think anyone is taking Wilson No. 1 overall,” Fischer said. “But, I think every team is going to have him above one of those other three guys.”
When healthy, Wilson was one of the best players in college basketball. He averaged 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game, breaking Tyler Hansbrough’s UNC freshman record for 20-point games. Wilson can throw down a highlight-reel dunk at any time, he’s long enough to make jump shots over taller defenders, while he can lock down opposing big men in the paint.
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Wilson proved himself as NBA-ready from Day One in Chapel Hill, forming the country’s top frontcourt duo with Henri Veesaar. When North Carolina needed someone to take over, Wilson obliged, such as single-handedly carrying his teammates in a Round One win over the Blue Devils (33-2, 17-1 ACC).
Whatever Wilson decides to do, watching him play basketball is a can’t-miss opportunity. The Tar Heels are lucky to have a player like Wilson, who loves the program more than anything, to come through Chapel Hill.
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