Caleb Wilson was forced to watch on as the No. 11 seed North Carolina Tar Heels finished out the 2025-26 college basketball season with a 24-8 overall record and 12-6 in ACC play, earning a spot in the First Four of the NCAA Tournament.
But UNC’s March Madness run didn’t last long, falling to No. 11 seed VCU Rams 82-78 in overtime.
Wilson became one of the best players in the nation during his freshman year in Chapel Hill, averaging 19.8 points on 57.8% shooting, 9.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. But after breaking his thumb during practice in early March, the forward saw his season cut short, missing the ACC and NCAA tournaments entirely.
And with the Tar Heels falling short yet again, they were forced to part ways with coach Hubert Davis, leaving numerous players to enter the transfer portal, including a former top-50 prospect.
Derek Dixon, a 6-foot-5 guard out of Gonzaga High School (Washington, DC), was a four-star prospect in the recruiting class of 2025 (per 247Sports). He ranked as the 45th-best overall prospect in his respective class, along with the eighth-best combo guard and the top recruit from the nation’s capital.
Dixon earned a solid role during his freshman year with North Carolina, starting in 16 of his 33 appearances. He ended the 2025-26 season averaging 6.5 points on 36.5% shooting and 39.7% from 3-point range, while also tallying 2.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 22.3 minutes per game.
But following UNC’s disappointing season and the firing of Davis, Dixon decided it was time for a change, entering his name into the NCAA transfer portal.
“DEAR UNC FAMILY, This has been one of the best years of my life and has been a journey that I will always remember,” Dixon wrote on Instagram. “I want to thank Coach Davis for believing in me and all my teammates for making this such a special season. Chapel Hill is a special place and I am truly grateful for the time I’ve spent here.
To the fans and UNC community that have welcomed and supported me all year I am eternally grateful. With the transfer portal opening tomorrow April 7th, I have decided to enter the transfer portal with the option to return to UNC. I want to thank everyone who has helped me get here and I’m excited to see what the future holds.”
Wilson took notice of Dixon’s announcement, responding in the comments section with a question for his former teammate: “Will you still be here to get food with me and @jhenrychapman, brudda?”
Dixon is one of seven players the Tar Heels have lost to the transfer portal, which also includes forward Zayden High and guard Isaiah Denis, leaving them with some rebuilding to do ahead of the 2026-27 season…. Make this news ESPN style
