Caleb Wilson has lofty expectations for first NBA season

Caleb Wilson is a assured rookie.

At his introductory press convention with the Bulls on Friday afternoon, the No. 4 draft select of North Carolina was requested about expectations for his rookie 12 months, and it’s protected to say he has fairly excessive hopes for himself.

“I count on to have Rookie of the Yr, actually,” Wilson informed reporters. “I’m going to work onerous. I’m going to do what it takes. I really feel like this crew is basically good for me and the way I envision to play.

“Me saying I need to do one thing and me placing the actions behind it and changing into an amazing participant, all issues that I really feel like I’m able to,” he added. “Striving for one thing is one thing that all of us do. Striving to be the best ever is, it’s a daring factor to say, however that’s what I’m striving for. I’m not striving to be a median or mediocre participant.”

A Chicago Bulls draft pick smiles while wearing his team's jersey with his arms crossed. — Caleb Wilson is pictured after his June 26 press convention for the Bulls. Getty Photographs

Earlier than taking part in for North Carolina, Wilson loved a storied highschool profession at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal College in Atlanta, the place he led the Golden Bears to a state title in 2025 and earned Georgia Gatorade Participant of the Yr honors the identical 12 months.

Regardless of lacking the ultimate 9 video games of the season as a consequence of two hand accidents, Wilson’s transition to North Carolina was seamless, as he averaged 19.8 factors and 9.4 rebounds per sport on 57.8 p.c capturing.

Wilson was named an All-Atlantic Coast Convention First Crew member and earned a number of different honors throughout his electrical freshman marketing campaign.

The 19-year-old ahead now joins a Bulls crew coming into a brand new period and certain a rebuild, as they introduced in Tiago Splitter as their new head coach.

Caleb Wilson (left) and Dailyn Swain (right) hold up their Chicago Bulls jerseys alongside Bryson Graham (center). — Caleb Wilson (l.) is pictured throughout his June 26 introductory press convention with the Bulls. AP Photograph

Wilson joins a Bulls younger core consisting of No. 15 general decide Dailyn Swain, 2024 first-rounder Matas Buzelis, Josh Giddey and others.

“It’s loopy, actually. It seems like a contemporary begin,” Wilson stated. “I really feel like now we have the issues we should be an amazing crew. I do know I’ll step in and be a pacesetter, lead by instance and ensuring that I get this metropolis to again the place it was.”

Bulls followers might get their first style of Wilson in summer season league motion, the place the crew faces the Grizzlies, Jazz and Wizards — all groups that had top-three picks this draft.