A Draft Night That Echoes Tar Heel Legacy
Caleb Wilson, a former UNC basketball star, was chosen fourth overall by the Chicago Bulls in the 2026 NBA Draft, marking the first time since 2005 that a North Carolina Tar Heels player has been selected in the top five.
During his single season at Chapel Hill, Wilson posted averages of 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks per game, numbers that had positioned him as a lottery prospect before a mid‑season injury at Miami cut his college campaign short.
The Bulls entered the draft after missing the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year, a streak that culminated in the trade of Coby White to the Charlotte Hornets as part of a deliberate rebuild.
Top Picks and the New Draft Order
Washington selected AJ Dybantsa with the first overall pick, the Utah Jazz took Darryn Peterson second, and Memphis chose Cameron Boozer third, setting the stage for a reshaped roster around Wilson.
For Wilson, the transition to Chicago also carries a personal connection to Michael Jordan, a fellow North Carolina alum whose legacy continues to inspire the next generation of Tar Heels in the league.