Why Chicago Bulls No.4 pick Caleb Wilson should be favorite for Rookie of the Year

But Wilson, who went fourth overall, has that same potential and more. The 6’10” forward is a ridiculous athlete who crashes the offensive glass, uses his length and verticality to block shots at will, and as we saw in the Summer League, can put defenders in a poster when given the chance.

Here’s why you need to be watching Chicago’s newest star.

Caleb Wilson: The story so far

Wilson is the prototype two-way forward. His length and athleticism mean, at minimum, he will be an impactful role player for years to come.

But he’s going to blast through that ceiling. Wilson grew up idolizing players like Kevin Garnett and Anthony Davis, which should tell you the kind of superstar he wants to become.

During his year at North Carolina, he averaged 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and over a block per game. He posted ten double-doubles, made the All-Freshman Team and led the Tar Heels to the ACC regular-season title.

Then came Summer League. Wilson was one of the standout stars at the tournament.

He scored 35 points on his debut, finished in double figures in scoring in each of his five games, and who could forget the violent poster he threw down on the Utah Jazz.

But that wasn’t even the most telling moment of his Summer League campaign. Rather, it was Wilson completely shutting down the biggest pre-draft concern about his game.

Something has happened to Caleb Wilson’s jumper

Perhaps the only reason Wilson was taken outside the top three was the doubts around his perimeter scoring. In college, he made just seven of 27 attempts from beyond the arc.

In his first Summer League game, he went an incredible 7-for-11 from deep. That levelled out, naturally, but he still shot 41.9% from three for the tournament while averaging 23.5 points.

And these weren’t just catch-and-shoot attempts. Wilson sank stepbacks and pull-up threes with a smoothness that suggests his scouting report needs updating, and fast.

If he can bring this expanded offensive arsenal to the NBA, paired with best-in-class athleticism, the Rookie of the Year award is his to lose.

He might start as a rotation guy, but don’t be surprised to see him force his way into the starting lineup in short order.

The Michael Jordan factor

Basketball fans, and sports fans in general, love a good narrative.

Wilson comes to Chicago from the same college as the franchise’s greatest-ever player, Michael Jordan. He’s the first through the UNC-Bulls pipeline since Coby White in 2019.

White didn’t quite work out, but Wilson is an even better prospect. He will be aware of the shadow he stands in and by the sounds of it, he loves the pressure.

Back on draft night, he was asked about following MJ’s path, and his answer tells the whole story.

He said (via X): “I write my own story, man, honestly. I want to be… I wanna be better than Mike.”

Even before he was drafted by the Bulls, he was making some lofty promises. At the Draft Combine, Wilson was asked why teams should draft him.

He said: “I’m going to change the franchise. I’m going to change the culture, and I’m going to change the city, honestly. I’m a culture changer. I did the same thing at North Carolina.”

Admittedly, this is big talk for a player yet to play a competitive game in the NBA. But the fire, the hunger, the drive to be great… sounds a lot like Mike to me.

Obviously, it’s a gamble to make these claims. It might come back to bite the 20-year-old.

But I’m sold.

If the perimeter game looks how it did in Las Vegas, I think this is the rookie who’s going to set the league alight this season. Watch this space.

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