'My Size Translates to ': NBA Draft Star Caleb Wilson Drops Bold Comparison to the MVP

Wilson listed a variety of legends who have influenced his style over the years. Besides Bryant and Antetokounmpo, he also mentioned icons like Rasheed and Ben Wallace from the famous ‘Bad Boy’ Pistons era.

Wilson measures 6’10” in shoes, with a 7’0.25” wingspan. When you combine those long arms, you have a player who mirrors the frame of Antetokounmpo. 

Most experts now see Wilson as a lock to be a top-four pick in the upcoming draft. ESPN analyst Jay Williams even mentioned that while his floor looks like Jermaine O’Neal or Kevin Garnett, his ceiling might be closer to Antetokounmpo. 

Scouts view Wilson as a two-way forward who can put pressure on the rim and defend multiple positions. During his freshman season, Wilson averaged 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds while shooting 57.8% from the floor. He also added 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. 

The Chicago Bulls and Memphis Grizzlies are keeping a very close eye on him. Wilson has a long history of studying the greats, and his connection to one specific icon has shaped the way he plays the game today.

Caleb Wilson’s bond with Kobe Bryant started long before the NBA draft buzz

Kobe Bryant has been Wilson’s favorite player since he was a young child, a passion he shared with his father. This explains why he mentioned a “whole bunch of Kobe” during his recent radio interview. 

This was not the first time he talked about this connection to the Mamba Mentality. Back in December 2025, a reporter asked Wilson if he was trying to copy Bryant’s famous footwork on the court. 

Wilson noted that Bryant was his favorite player because of his game, mentality, and work ethic. He also mentioned that he watches Bryant because they both faced similar challenges with double teams. 

Wilson was named a consensus second-team All-American and earned a spot on the first-team All-ACC and the All-Rookie team. He was also a finalist for the Wooden Award and the Lute Olson Award. 

He set a school record with 24 straight double-figure games to start his career and had 17 games where he scored at least 20 points. At one point in February, he even led the entire nation in total dunks.

If he can combine that legendary work ethic with the physical dominance of an MVP, the team that drafts him is going to get a special talent.

What do you think about Wilson comparing his skill set to Giannis’s?