If shooting was the main question hanging over Caleb Wilson’s head this summer, the rookie gave a resounding answer in his NBA Summer League debut.
Wilson’s first shot in Friday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies was an off-the-dribble take over a screen — a tough shot that often takes time to hone. He knocked it down smoothly, sending the ball sinking through the net and nothing else. He proceeded to make seven of his 11 attempts from behind the arc, finishing with 35 points — the most by a rookie in his summer league debut this year — in 32 minutes, 56 seconds.
This resounding introduction set a new standard for the No. 4 pick. Wilson already carried hefty expectations into his rookie season. In a debut matchup against No. 3 pick Cameron Boozer and the Grizzlies, he cleared that bar.
“I’ve been working on it hard for a long time, so I’m not shocked at all,” Wilson said. “I’m sure they’ll find something else I need to get better at.”
Returning players Matas Buzelis, Josh Giddey, Tre Jones, Leonard Miller, Norman Powell, Isaac Okoro and Jalen Smith attended the game to support their new teammates from courtside seats. And NBA fans flocked to the center court at the Thomas & Mack Center to watch the pair of top-four picks square off in a highly anticipated matchup.
Despite Wilson’s effort, the Bulls ultimately lost 97-96. Summer league results don’t make a major impact in the long run. But the habits and flaws revealed in these games will establish a blueprint of expectations and goals for the upcoming season, providing a crucial rubric for a team in a rebuild.
Here are three things we learned from the loss.
1. Wilson attacked his matchup with Boozer.
Wilson served as one half of Friday’s marquee matchup at the Thomas & Mack Center as he faced off against former Duke foe Boozer. The two guarded each other intermittently.
The crowd rumbled midway through the third quarter when Wilson pulled Boozer out to the perimeter, dribbling between his legs before dropping into a pivot in an attempt to dodge around the No. 3 pick. Wilson ultimately ran out of options, muffing his outlet pass and setting up Boozer for a transition dunk on the other end.
But Wilson won the matchup well enough, knocking down a jumper over Boozer as he outscored his familiar opponent. Boozer finished with 21 points, six rebounds and four assists.
Bulls forward Caleb Wilson (8) jumps while defending Grizzlies forward Cameron Boozer during the first half of a summer league game Friday, July 10, 2026, in Las Vegas. (Ian Maule/AP)
The foundation is steady, but Wilson still has plenty of work ahead of him in his rookie season. He often took too many dribbles after getting walled up and lost his handle while attempting to navigate traffic. He finished with three blocks, bounding down the court to smack a block out of bounds in the second quarter. But at other times, he came off his feet too quickly while chasing the flashier play.
Still, the excitement around Wilson — from fans and teammates alike — was evident in his first game. The rookie jawed at Buzelis and Giddey after making tough baskets, earning laughs and cheers as he racked up points.
2. Ball protection was an issue.
Bulls guard Dailyn Swain (5) drives against the Grizzlies’ Olivier-Maxence Prosper in the first half of a summer league game on July 10, 2026 in Las Vegas. (Ethan Miller/Getty)
Summer league was always set up to be a challenge for No. 15 pick Dailyn Swain, who has been tasked with primary point guard responsibilities for this exhibition tournament. Although Swain is not naturally a point guard, the Bulls need him to grow into a secondary facilitating role to complement his defense and scoring abilities on the wing.
The inexperience of this Bulls team showed in a visible lack of comfort both creating plays and protecting the ball. The entire roster struggled with smothering on-ball pressure from the Grizzlies. Wilson turned the ball over six times. Swain gave up two more. Inbound and outlet passes posed a particular challenge. During a simple backcourt advancement in the first quarter, Boozer stole the ball off Wilson while guarding him one-on-one and took it back for a dunk.
None of these players will be asked to play as a primary ballhandler in the regular season. But these struggles to create space and complete outlet passes with confidence reflected a steep learning curve for both of the young wings.
3. Noa Essengue knocked off the cobwebs.
Bulls forward Noa Essengue, left, defends Grizzlies forward Cameron Boozer during the first half of a summer league game Friday, July 10, 2026, in Las Vegas. (Ian Maule/AP)
After missing the majority of his rookie season with a left shoulder injury, 2025 first-rounder Noa Essengue hadn’t played a full game of basketball since December. Some rust showed in his first game back, particularly in the first half.
Essengue, 19, picked up three personal fouls in the first quarter. He airballed his first 3-point attempt and shot only 2-for-5 from the floor. Essengue underwent another growth spurt over the last year. As a result, he carried himself with a somewhat awkward athleticism and struggled to finish shots around the rim despite creating pressure in transition. Still undersized for his height, Essengue was knocked off his line by bulkier forwards such as Boozer while attempting to drive baseline to the basket.
The game seemed to get easier for Essengue in the second half, forcing two turnovers and four blocks while drawing free throws with his downhill movement. But the second-year wing still couldn’t find opportunities to create his own shot, even off second-chance opportunities in the paint.