Caleb Wilson Called Darryn Peterson Sitting Out ‘Weird’ and Didn’t Bother Hiding It

Caleb Wilson showed up ready to play Monday. The problem? The guy he wanted to go against didn’t even lace up.

Wilson, the Bulls rookie and No. 4 pick, put up 19 points with five blocks in a 80-63 loss to the Jazz in Summer League action. But the numbers came with a side of frustration, and he didn’t try to mask it.

Darryn Peterson, the No. 2 pick taken by Utah, was held out as a rest decision. Wilson was asked about it after the game and gave a response that landed somewhere between an honest admission and a subtle jab.

“I felt yesterday was weird because I expected Darryn to play,” Wilson said, according to The Athletic’s Joel X Lorenzi. “So when I came into the game, I didn’t have the right mindset.”

That’s a lot of honesty for a Summer League press scrum. Wilson essentially said his preparation got thrown off because a guy he wanted to face sat on the bench in street clothes.

And here’s the thing — Peterson had a front row seat when Wilson threw down a dunk that’s been looping on social media all week. So the rookie didn’t just call the situation weird. He also reminded everyone who was actually on the floor.

Old rivals, new setting

This isn’t the first time these two have gone at it. Wilson and Peterson faced off last November when North Carolina beat Kansas 87-74. Wilson put up 24 points and 10 boards that night. Peterson had 22 points but left with an L. Summer League was supposed to be a rematch with higher stakes in a different jersey.

Instead, Wilson got a game where the Jazz defense keyed on him early, and he admitted his head wasn’t in it the right way from the jump.

Wilson is averaging 25 points, 5.5 assists and 3 rebounds across Summer League, starting every game so far. Peterson is expected to suit up Wednesday against the Spurs. Wilson plays the Lakers on Thursday.

It’s not hard to imagine Peterson hearing what Wilson said and making a mental note. Summer League doesn’t matter much to most people, but for two top-five picks with a college rivalry already in place? These games leave impressions.

Wilson isn’t wrong for calling it weird. He’s wrong for admitting it messed with his mindset. That’s the kind of quote that ends up on a bulletin board, even if the bulletin board is digital and lives in a group chat with Jazz coaches.