It was only a matter of time before North Carolina\u2019s freshman phenom declared for the 2026 NBA draft after the Tar Heels\u2019 season ended in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The highly touted forward made it official<\/a> on Instagram on Saturday in a heartfelt post to his fan base.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cNever take it for granted #8out,\u201d Caleb Wilson wrote.\u00a0<\/p>\n Wilson\u2019s play in Chapel Hill was nothing short of brilliant. While the Atlanta, Georgia native is where he needs to be from a three-point shooting\/floor spacing standpoint (he connected on 25.9% of his three-point jumpers this year), there\u2019s no question his strengths outweigh his weaknesses.\u00a0<\/p>\n The former five-star recruit is as reliable as it gets as a pick-and-roll partner, as his wide base, discipline, upper-body strength, and above-the-rim athleticism enable him to set impactful screens and finish with emphatic slams.\u00a0<\/p>\n In transition, Wilson uses his impressive change of pace and long strides to cover substantial ground with each dribble, putting his opponents at a disadvantage.<\/p>\n In the low post, Wilson possesses a polished face-up game that allows him to analyze defenders\u2019 footwork before making the correct read.\u00a0<\/p>\n Defensively, the 6-foot-10 forward has the length, timing, instincts, and motor necessary to be a high-level disruptor on that end of the floor. Wilson averaged 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game with North Carolina this season, shooting 57.8% from the field in 24 contests (a broken right thumb ended his season in early March).\u00a0<\/p>\n Expect Wilson to be a clear-cut top-five pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.<\/p>\n More college basketball:\u00a0Kentucky guard entering transfer portal after disappointing season with Wildcats<\/a><\/p>\n