Bulls' Caleb Wilson has breakout game in loss to Wizards

Chicago Bulls forward Caleb Wilson. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Bulls' Caleb Wilson has breakout game in loss to Wizards

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Oct 24, 2026 11:58 PM ET

When the Chicago Bulls selected Caleb Wilson with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, basketball fans in Chicago were looking forward to their next superstar for the foreseeable future.

The first two games of the season left fans wanting more from Wilson. He finally took note of that, and despite a loss Saturday, he put together the first of what will be many stellar performances of his career.

Caleb Wilson posted the first double-double of his young career

Wilson posted career highs in points (30) and rebounds (14) on Saturday, giving him the first double-double of his NBA career. He made 10-of-24 shots, but was poor from three-point range, making just one of nine attempts.

The points and rebounds weren't the only positives for Wilson in Saturday's effort. He also collected three assists, two steals and one block.

It was an all-around excellent performance that has many Chicago fans excited for what Wilson's future holds.

30 FOR CALEB WILSON ‍

Watch the ending of Wizards/Bulls on NBA League Pass! pic.twitter.com/W6tUGuhqnL
— NBA (@NBA) October 25, 2026

CALEB WILSON KEEPS BALLIN' ⭐

The Chicago rookie has scored 67 Pts in three career games, the second-most by any Bulls player through their first three games behind Michael Jordan (74). pic.twitter.com/YhiTvPJCcE
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 25, 2026

Can the Bulls build a contender around Caleb Wilson?

Wilson isn't the first lottery pick for Chicago in recent years, but he does have the most hype of any Bulls draft pick since Derrick Rose in 2010.

It certainly appears that Wilson will be the centerpiece of the future for Chicago, but the important question is what will be done around him? The Bulls have made the playoffs just twice since the 2016 season, something that has been extremely disappointing for a franchise that was once considered one of the premier ones in the league.

The development of Wilson will be priority No. 1 for the Bulls organization, while priorities No. 2-8 should be building a winning team around Wilson that can help get Chicago back to its winning ways.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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