Caleb Wilson is a confident rookie.
At his introductory press conference with the Bulls on Friday afternoon, the No. 4 draft pick out of North Carolina was asked about expectations for his rookie year, and it’s safe to say he has pretty high hopes for himself.
“I expect to have Rookie of the Year, honestly,” Wilson told reporters. “I’m going to work hard. I’m going to do what it takes. I feel like this team is really good for me and how I envision to play.
“Me saying I want to do something and me putting the actions behind it and becoming a great player, all things that I feel like I’m capable of,” he added. “Striving for something is something that we all do. Striving to be the greatest ever is, it is a bold thing to say, but that’s what I’m striving for. I’m not striving to be an average or mediocre player.”
Before playing for North Carolina, Wilson enjoyed a storied high school career at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School in Atlanta, where he led the Golden Bears to a state title in 2025 and earned Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year honors the same year.
Despite missing the final nine games of the season due to two hand injuries, Wilson’s transition to North Carolina was seamless, as he averaged 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game on 57.8 percent shooting.
Wilson was named an All-Atlantic Coast Conference First Team member and earned several other honors during his electric freshman campaign.
The 19-year-old forward now joins a Bulls team entering a new era and likely a rebuild, as they brought in Tiago Splitter as their new head coach.
Wilson joins a Bulls young core consisting of No. 15 overall pick Dailyn Swain, 2024 first-rounder Matas Buzelis, Josh Giddey and others.
“It’s crazy, honestly. It feels like a fresh start,” Wilson said. “I feel like we have the things we need to be a great team. I know I’ll step in and be a leader, lead by example and making sure that I get this city to back where it was.”
Bulls fans may get their first taste of Wilson in summer league action, where the team faces the Grizzlies, Jazz and Wizards — all teams that had top-three picks this draft.
