Caleb Wilson stepped onto an NBA court for the first time Friday night in Las Vegas, and he didn’t exactly ease into things. The No. 4 pick out of North Carolina dropped 35 points on the Memphis Grizzlies in Summer League action. The Bulls lost by a single point, 97-96, but that wasn’t the story coming out of the game.
The story was Wilson looking like he’d been doing this for years. Seven of his 11 three-point attempts went in. He grabbed five boards, swatted three shots, and picked off two steals. It’s Summer League, sure, but that’s a debut that gets people talking.
Giddey’s message to the rookie
Josh Giddey was in the building in Vegas, and he’s been where Wilson is now. Giddey came into the league as a lottery pick himself, so when he offered some advice, it carried a little weight.
“I would say just go in and kind of bond with the team,” Giddey told the NBA’s cameras. “It’s easy as the top pick to want to go out there and prove everyone how good you are, but everyone knows how talented he is. He’s a talented kid, and sometimes they can get a little antsy to show everyone how good they are, but he looks composed, looks mature beyond his years.”
Giddey didn’t stop there. He basically put the organization’s expectations right out in the open.
“Obviously he’s going to be a massive part to what we’re doing in Chicago,” Giddey said. “I know me, all the other guys, fans, everyone’s excited to see him play. So he looks good, he looks confident, and he’s going to be a massive part to what we do.”
What Wilson brings to Chicago
Wilson only played one season at North Carolina, averaging 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds. That’s solid production, but 35 points on 7-for-11 from deep in his first pro game is a different kind of statement. The Bulls have been searching for a young cornerstone to build around, and Wilson might be that guy.
Giddey, who signed a four-year, $100 million deal in 2025, averaged 17 points, 9.1 assists, and 8.3 boards last season. He’s the established playmaker. Wilson looks like he could be the scorer this team has needed. The question is how their games fit together when the real season starts.
Fans online noted Wilson’s composure right away. He didn’t force bad shots. He let the game come to him even while lighting it up. That’s the kind of thing that makes Giddey’s advice about staying true to yourself actually seem relevant. Sometimes the top pick tries too hard. Wilson didn’t look like he was trying at all. He just looked like he belonged.
The Bulls are back at it Monday night against the Utah Jazz at 8:00pm CST.
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