Bulls Select Caleb Wilson Fourth Overall

Wilson, a 6’10” forward/center, appeared in 24 games as a freshman for UNC, averaging 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks in 31.3 minutes per contest while shooting 57.8% from the field and 71.3% from the free throw line. The Atlanta native was a consensus second-team All-American and earned a spot on the All-ACC first team.

Wilson’s stellar freshman year with the Tar Heels came to an early end due to injuries. He fractured his left hand in February, then was gearing up to return in March when he sustained a broken right thumb, which required surgery. There’s no indication that the thumb injury will delay his NBA debut, however — he said in May that he intends to play in Summer League.

Wilson’s ball-handling and jump shot remain works in progress, as Jeremy Woo of ESPN notes in his scouting report, but the 19-year-old has impressive physical tools and has shown the ability to affect games with his energy and athleticism. He was widely viewed as one of the four prospects in the top tier of this year’s draft class.

The Bulls are in retooling mode after making a series of trades at February’s deadline, then overhauling the front office and hiring a new head coach this spring. Wilson is the first player drafted by new Bulls head of basketball operations Bryson Graham and will get the opportunity to play for new head coach Tiago Splitter.

Wilson will join a young Bulls core headlined by forward Matas Buzelis. Point guard Josh Giddey and last year’s lottery pick, forward Noa Essengue, are among the other building blocks on a roster that will feature a new-look frontcourt — besides drafting Wilson, Chicago has already reached an agreement to acquire center Nic Claxton from Brooklyn.