2026 is the summer of Caleb Wilson. Taken fourth overall by the Chicago Bulls in June’s NBA Draft, the former UNC basketball standout delivered a Summer League for the ages, drawing praise across the professional hoops landscape.
Wilson’s summer started with a debut-record 35 points, then ended with another 20-point outing. When the regular season rolls around, Wilson is expected to start alongside a new-look, much-improved Bulls roster with Norman Powell, Josh Giddey, Nic Claxton and 2025 breakout star Matas Buzelis.
To build early chemistry with his new teammates, Wilson is playing alongside them in summer scrimmages. Recently, Wilson and Buzelis combined for a pro run on Chicago’s South Side, dominating their competition in the highlight clips below.
Wilson is the primary ball-handler in these videos, while also showcasing his ability to make contested, turnaround jump shots and throw down big dunks. Buzelis, who started all 77 Bulls games he appeared in a season ago, drives through contact for a layup and slam himself.
Playing with his teammates this early, especially outside of an NBA Summer League or preseason game, shows both WIlson’s excitement and commitment to improving every day. If you meet an active player who loves basketball more than Wilson, good luck.
Wilson quickly rose to superstardom during North Carolina’s 2025-26 campaign, averaging 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. The Tar Heels struggled after Wilson’s injuries, though, ending their season in a 19-point, Round of 64 NCAA Tournament collapse to VCU. Buzelis averaged a career-high 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.5 blocks per game for Chicago last season, which ended without a playoff appearances for the fourth-consecutive year.
With Buzelis and the former Tar Heel now teaming up, expect greater heights in the Windy City this fall. Who’s ready for more Wilson highlight-reel dunks?
