North Carolina Tar Heels: Caleb Wilson Commitment Gives Tar Heels MASSIVE 2025 Recruiting Boost

Speaking with Ernie Johnson and the Inside The NBA crew, Wilson credited Tar Heel coach Hubert Davis for fostering trust between the two:

“I just looked at who the coach was, I was able to build a good relationship with him, looking at the roster and also just seeing how much the coach believed in me over the time he knew me.”

Wilson’s commitment to the Tar Heels ends a tense battle between North Carolina and the Kentucky Wildcats to court the forward. The programs had alternated in the driver’s seat for the high school senior’s commitment over the past several months. 

Wilson brings a unique blend of size and skill to North Carolina. According to 247Sports’ scouting director Adam Finkelstein, Caleb Wilson possesses “extreme potential versatility on the defensive end of the floor” thanks to his 6’9” frame and 7’0” wingspan.

Caleb Wilson Joins A Loaded Tar Heel Class of 2025

Caleb Wilson is the Tar Heels’ third commit in the class of 2025. He’ll join fellow ESPN Top 100 recruits Derek Dixon (Shooting Guard, Washington, D.C.) and Isaiah Denis (Shooting Guard, Davidson, NC) on campus this fall. 247Sports currently ranks North Carolina’s class of 2025 as the 7th best recruiting class of the year. Arch-rival Duke is currently rated as the #1 recruiting class of 2025.

The Tar Heels also have scholarship offers out to two other five-star recruits: power forwards Koa Peat and Nate Ament.

North Carolina Tar Heels Defensive Struggles This Season

A key aspect that the Tar Heels are hoping Caleb Wilson can assist in is their defense. North Carolina currently ranks 16th in the ACC in points allowed per game and last in the conference in rebounds allowed per game. Coach Hubert Davis, speaking on January 15 after a win over the Cal Golden Bears, said that he is desperate to see improvement from his team in those aspects:

“I am desperate — and these are the exact words that I said to them — I desperately want them to see and experience what this team would look like if we fully commit to becoming the best defensive team, rebounding team, and taking care of the basketball. And I’ve said that since the team has gotten together, and I will say that for the remainder of the year.”

Currently in his fourth season at the helm, Hubert Davis is in danger of missing the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three seasons. As head coach of the Tar Heels, he has guided the team to a 90-39 record, reaching the NCAA Tournament Final in 2022.

The Tar Heels have lost their last two games, both one-point contests against conference foes Wake Forest and Stanford. Coach Davis will hope to turn his team’s fortunes around on January 25 in a matchup against the Boston College Eagles (9-10, 1-7 ACC).