UNC basketball has won three of its four games without freshman star Caleb Wilson, but the Tar Heels are hoping to get the projected top-five NBA draft pick back in the starting lineup soon.
During his weekly radio show at Top of the Hill Restaurant and Brewery on Wednesday, Feb. 25, UNC coach Hubert Davis provided an injury update on Wilson’s status.
“He would play tonight, if I would let him,” Davis said.
“He just wants to be out on the court badly, he just really does. He’s getting better every day. Have another doctor’s visit a little bit later this week and (will) re-evaluate the timetable. If everything stays like we think, hopefully he’ll be back soon.”
The 18th-ranked Tar Heels (22-6, 10-5 ACC) have three games remaining in the regular season, starting with Virginia Tech (18-10, 7-8) on Saturday, Feb. 28 (8:30 p.m., ESPN2), at the Smith Center.
It’s been just over two weeks since Wilson fractured his left hand in a loss at Miami on Feb. 10. Prior to the Tar Heels’ win at Syracuse, Davis said UNC would have an injury update and better timetable for Wilson’s return following additional imaging in the final week of February.
Wilson has been wearing a splint on his left hand, but he’s consistently participating in light pregame shooting ahead of the Tar Heels’ games. The 6-foot-10 forward started the first 24 games of the season, averaging 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds as UNC’s top scorer and rebounder. During his latest radio show, Davis praised Wilson’s ability as a player but also noted the freshman’s activity on the bench as a supportive, actively engaged teammate.
“I hope people have noticed and can see what he’s doing on the bench,” Davis said.
“And I’m just telling you, that’s not normal. … So many times, when things don’t go your way, you’re so wrapped up in yourself. I’ve got to tell him, ‘You might get a technical. You got to stay on the bench.’ He’s just jumping around, but I don’t want to stop that. It speaks more to who he is on the bench than it is out there on the floor, and the type of person and teammate he is.”
Davis recently said Wilson continues to focus on conditioning, lifting weights and non-contact drills in practice. “In terms of non-contact” drills, Davis added, Wilson is “doing everything” to stay sharp.
With Wilson sidelined for four games, Jarin Stevenson (12 points per game, 5.7 rebounds per game) and Zayden High (10.2 ppg, 8.5 rbg) have stepped up to help fill the void in the post. Henri Veesaar has played the last two games without Wilson, averaging 15.5 points and 2.5 rebounds.
