Through the first three games of his NBA career, former UNC superstar Caleb Wilson is everything the Chicago Bulls dreamed of.
Wilson started each of Chicago's first three games, playing the most minutes amongst his teammates. Wilson struggled in his debut (7-of-21 from the field), but stepped up Friday to score 21 points, grab six rebounds, block two shots and record a steal in the Bulls' first victory.
Despite Chicago's 124-120 loss to the Washington Wizards on Saturday night, Wilson delivered a superstar performance reminiscent of his North Carolina days. In a game-high 38 minutes, Wilson recorded his first career double-double with 30 points and 14 rebounds, making 10-of-24 shots and 9-of-11 free throws.
Add three assists, two more steals and
a block, Wilson stuffed the stat sheet and gave his young, talented Chicago (1-2) squad every chance to win.
The Bulls led by five points at halftime, but a rough third quarter gave them a 17-point deficit entering the fourth quarter. Chicago closed its gap to three (118-115) with 23 seconds left, primarily thanks to Wilson scoring 11 of his 30 points in the final frame, but never got closer and had to foul Washington (2-1).
Caleb Wilson introduced himself to the United Center in a BIG way 🔥
— Bulls on CHSN (@CHSN_Bulls) October 25, 2026
🏀 30 PTS
🏀 14 REB
🏀 3 AST
🏀 2 STL
🏀 1 BLK
🏀 5 dunks pic.twitter.com/GVsoc52WYq
The Tar Heels played like a National Championship contender with a healthy Wilson, who earned First Team All-ACC honors during his lone season in Chapel Hill. Averaging a near-double-double with 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game, Wilson's explosiveness forced UNC's opponents to defend him in multiple ways.
Wilson injured himself during North Carolina's February loss to Miami, targeted a return for the Duke rematch, then suffered a season-ending mishap leading up to that regular season finale.
Now just three games into what projects to be a long, successful professional career, Wilson has NBA superstar written all over him.
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Caleb Wilson delivers loud introduction in Chicago Bulls' home opener
