TWO Tar Heels Are Suddenly Climbing the Board — One Could Hear His Name Shockingly Early, the Other Is Quietly Emerging as a First-Round Steal, and a New Mock Draft Has NBA Executives Buzzing About What UNC Just Sent to the Next Level

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — North Carolina’s remarkable 2025-26 season may have ended sooner than Tar Heel fans hoped, but the impact of that team is still being felt across basketball.

With the 2026 NBA Draft only days away, a pair of former Tar Heels are generating considerable attention from league executives, scouts, and analysts. And according to the latest projections from USA TODAY Sports, North Carolina could once again celebrate multiple first-round selections.

While freshman sensation Caleb Wilson has long been expected to hear his name called early, the continued rise of big man Henri Veesaar has become one of the more intriguing stories of the pre-draft process.

And if the latest mock draft proves accurate, both players could soon be taking their talents to franchises looking to build toward brighter futures.

Caleb Wilson Continues to Look Like a Top-Five Lock

Few players in college basketball electrified fans the way Wilson did during his lone season in Chapel Hill.

From breathtaking dunks to highlight-reel blocks and his infectious energy, Wilson immediately became one of the faces of college basketball. Despite arriving with enormous expectations, he somehow managed to exceed them.

USA TODAY Sports projects Wilson to be selected fourth overall by the Chicago Bulls.

The fit makes sense.

Chicago’s front office has emphasized athleticism, length, versatility, and defensive toughness — qualities that Wilson displayed consistently throughout his freshman campaign.

USA TODAY’s Bryan Kalbrosky believes Wilson isn’t simply the best player available at that position.

He may be exactly the type of player the Bulls are trying to build around.

A Season Tar Heel Fans Won’t Soon Forget

Wilson’s statistics tell only part of the story.

The dynamic forward averaged:

• 19.8 points per game.
• 9.4 rebounds.
• 2.7 assists.
• 1.5 steals.
• 1.4 blocks.

Those numbers alone were impressive enough to establish him as one of the country’s elite freshmen.

But Wilson’s influence stretched far beyond the box score.

His competitiveness, enthusiasm, and leadership quickly made him a fan favorite.

Even after suffering a wrist injury late in the season, Wilson remained one of North Carolina’s biggest supporters from the sidelines.

He had hoped to return for the rivalry showdown against Duke, but another setback during practice prematurely ended his collegiate career.

Though his time in Carolina Blue lasted just one season, Wilson left behind memories that will live on for years.

Chicago Appears to Be the Favorite

Throughout the draft process, Wilson’s name has repeatedly surfaced alongside the Bulls.

Mock draft after mock draft has connected the two sides, and insiders continue to view the pairing as one of the strongest fits among lottery teams.

With AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer expected to occupy spots near the very top of the draft, Wilson remains firmly positioned among the elite prospects available.

For Chicago, he represents much more than another young player.

He could become the centerpiece of the franchise’s next era.

Henri Veesaar’s Rise Has Been One of the Draft’s Biggest Surprises

While Wilson’s lottery status has grabbed headlines, Henri Veesaar’s journey has quietly become one of the most fascinating stories of this draft class.

USA TODAY projects the 7-foot center to be selected 29th overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

That projection highlights just how much Veesaar’s stock has risen over the past year.

After transferring from Arizona to North Carolina, the Estonian big man flourished.

His development under the Tar Heels allowed scouts to see a modern center capable of impacting the game in multiple ways.

The Ultimate X-Factor

Whenever North Carolina needed someone to step up, Veesaar seemed to answer.

His ability to:

• Stretch the floor.
• Finish around the rim.
• Rebound effectively.
• Pass out of double teams.
• Protect the paint.

Made him one of the ACC’s most valuable big men.

Even after battling injuries of his own, Veesaar consistently provided stability and toughness.

As Wilson missed time late in the season, Veesaar’s importance only grew.

And NBA scouts noticed.

Why Cleveland Could Be a Perfect Landing Spot

Should the Cavaliers select Veesaar near the end of the first round, they would be adding a player many analysts believe is capable of contributing immediately.

His skill set aligns perfectly with today’s NBA.

Unlike traditional centers, Veesaar can operate away from the basket while still providing interior size and rebounding.

His basketball IQ and versatility have impressed evaluators throughout the draft process.

Several teams searching for frontcourt depth reportedly view him as one of the safest big men available outside the lottery.

A Testament to UNC’s Development

The possibility of having two first-round picks says a lot about North Carolina’s program.

Despite injuries that interrupted both players’ seasons, Wilson and Veesaar each elevated their stock significantly while wearing Carolina blue.

Wilson emerged as a superstar.

Veesaar transformed himself into one of the draft’s most intriguing late first-round prospects.

Together, they helped keep North Carolina among college basketball’s elite while enhancing the program’s reputation for developing NBA talent.

Draft Night Could Bring More Celebration to Chapel Hill

Nothing is official until Commissioner Adam Silver steps to the podium.

Surprises always happen.

Trades reshape the board.

Players rise.

Players fall.

But as the 2026 NBA Draft approaches, one thing is becoming increasingly clear:

North Carolina may once again watch two of its own walk across the stage as first-round selections.

One appears destined to become a cornerstone of an NBA rebuild.

The other has quietly evolved into one of the draft’s most intriguing hidden gems.

And when draft night finally arrives, Tar Heel fans everywhere will be watching closely, knowing that the next chapter for Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar is only beginning.

Because even though their time in Chapel Hill is over, their journey to basketball’s biggest stage may be just getting started.