The North Carolina Tar Heels are off to a blazing 4–0 start this season, and much of that early success can be traced to the electric play of their newest stars, Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar. Both newcomers arrived in Chapel Hill with high expectations, but they’ve already begun to exceed them, establishing themselves as the driving force behind Hubert Davis’ explosive offense. With each passing game, they’ve shown the kind of poise, skill, and confidence that typically takes young players months to develop.
For Wilson in particular, the start to his college career has been nothing short of spectacular. The five-star freshman entered UNC as one of the most heralded recruits in the nation, but his early production has now thrust him onto an even bigger stage—one that includes the brightest stars in all of college basketball. His latest achievement reinforces just how swiftly he’s rising.
On Tuesday, Wilson earned the first major national honor of his young career when he was named to the 2025–26 Wooden Award Preseason Watch List, an exclusive group of 50 players identified by the Los Angeles Athletic Club as potential contenders for the sport’s most prestigious individual accolades: the Wooden Award All-America Team and the Wooden Award Men’s Player of the Year. These honors represent the pinnacle of individual recognition in college basketball, typically reserved for the nation’s most dominant, well-rounded, and impactful players.
Wilson is UNC’s lone representative on the preseason list—a noteworthy distinction given the Tar Heels’ deep roster and national relevance. For a true freshman to earn such recognition so early is rare, and it underscores just how impressive Wilson has been through the first four games of the season. Averaging 20 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, Wilson hasn’t just fit into the Tar Heels’ system—he’s elevated it. His combination of size, athleticism, versatility, and polish has already made him one of the most challenging matchups for opposing defenses.
What makes Wilson’s early run even more impressive is how seamlessly he has meshed with Veesaar, another standout addition to the roster. The duo has formed a dynamic inside-out threat that gives UNC multiple scoring options, forces defensive adjustments, and opens up the floor for their teammates. While Veesaar’s skill set stretches defenses and creates spacing, Wilson’s ability to attack the rim, crash the boards, and ignite fast breaks gives the Tar Heels a powerful one-two punch that few teams can counter.
Head coach Hubert Davis has praised Wilson’s maturity and work ethic since the preseason, and those qualities are now becoming increasingly evident on the court. Whether he’s finishing through contact, grabbing tough rebounds in traffic, or making timely defensive plays, Wilson consistently looks like a player who has been competing at the collegiate level far longer than a few weeks. It’s the blend of confidence and composure—the intangible edge—that often separates great freshmen from elite ones.
Being named to the Wooden Award Watch List brings heightened attention, but also a sense of validation. The selection committee, composed of analysts, former coaches, and college basketball experts, carefully evaluates players not only on talent and production, but also on leadership, character, and their impact on winning. Wilson’s name being placed among the nation’s top 50 so early in his career is a testament to both his skill and his trajectory.
Of course, the Wooden Award Watch List is only the beginning. The list will be updated throughout the season as players continue to rise or fall based on their performances. It will eventually be narrowed to semifinalists, then finalists, before the winner is announced during the Final Four. Importantly, players who do not appear on the preseason list are still eligible for the award and can be added as the season progresses.
Still, Wilson’s inclusion at this stage positions him as one of the nation’s premier freshmen and a potential centerpiece of UNC’s run toward postseason success. As the Tar Heels continue to build momentum, the spotlight on Wilson will only grow brighter. His play thus far suggests he’s prepared for it.
For North Carolina fans, Wilson’s emergence feels like the beginning of a special chapter—one that could shape the entire season. With the Tar Heels aiming to reclaim their standing among college basketball’s elite, having a freshman already garnering national attention bodes well for their long-term aspirations.
The road ahead is long, and with conference play approaching, UNC will face increasingly tough challenges. But if Wilson continues to produce at this level, not only will the Tar Heels remain a formidable force, but Wilson himself could very well find his name among the season’s most discussed and decorated players.
