Think of the endless great basketball players to come through Chapel Hill: Michael Jordan, Tyler Hansbrough, Marcus Paige, Joel Berry, Phil Ford, Lennie Rosenbluth. There’s another all-time great emerging at UNC this season: Caleb Wilson. A freshman power forward from Atlanta, Wilson is a do-it-all superstar who can take over for the Tar Heels in clutch moments.
During North Carolina’s 85-80 road upset at Virginia on Saturday, Wilson added a significant milestone to his young collegiate career. By scoring 20 points, including UNC’s final field goal with 31 seconds left, Wilson tied Hansbrough for the most 20-point games – by a freshman – in program history.
After the game, Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis talked about getting Wilson the ball in that crucial moment – and his ability to nail the tough, step back jumper.
“I mean, just wanted to give him the ball in space,” Davis said via InsideCarolina’s Cade Shoemaker. “Wanted to give him an opportunity to be able to make a play. I mean, he’s one of those guys that, if you give him space, he can make and create a shot anytime he wants to against anyone. And Caleb’s not scared of the moment. It’s the exact opposite. He runs towards it, and I knew he wanted a ball in his hands, and he came up big.”
Hansbrough, like Wilson, made an immediate impact in his freshman season at North Carolina. Starting by winning ACC Rookie of the Year and earning his first of four First Team All-ACC honors, Hansbrough left a National Champion.
Next weekend, Wilson will have a golden opportunity to break UNC’s record for most 20-point games by a freshman. The Tar Heels will travel to Georgia Tech, situated in Wilson’s hometown of Atlanta, for a 2 p.m. tip.
