Caleb Wilson Shines in Bulls’ Summer League Debut

Exploding the 3‑Point Doubt

Caleb Wilson erupted for 35 points in his Chicago Bulls debut, sinking 7 of 11 threes— the second‑most ever by a player in a first NBA Summer League game. Even though it was an exhibition against Summer League competition, he repeatedly pulled up off the dribble and stepped back for contested jumpers over Memphis Grizzlies defenders, a move he rarely used in college. The performance suggests a dramatic upgrade from his college shooting, where he hit just 7 of 27 threes over an entire freshman season.

College System Kept His Shot in the Background

Former UNC coach Hubert Davis ran a system that limited Wilson’s three‑point attempts, resulting in a 25.9 % conversion on few looks. Wilson later explained that the offense emphasized “the Carolina break, rim runner, get to the top of the key,” leaving little room for the shot he’d always felt comfortable with. “I’m glad I didn’t shoot 3s in college, because if I did, I wouldn’t be here,” he said, reflecting on how the college structure may have altered his draft trajectory.

Off‑Court Grind and Coaching Fallout

Since his broken thumb ended his college career early, Wilson has been shooting 2,000–2,500 attempts daily for the past ten weeks, focusing on building confidence rather than altering mechanics. He notes that the NBA affords him the luxury of treating basketball as a full‑time job, unlike the student‑athlete demands of attending class and limited practice time. The narrative that a coach might have suppressed a prospect’s shooting talent has added another layer to the story of Davis’s dismissal, as Carolina fired him in March after five seasons in favor of former Denver Nuggets lead Michael Malone.

What Wilson’s Numbers Mean for His NBA Future

At 6‑9 with a 7‑foot wingspan, Wilson brings the athleticism of arguably the best player in his draft class, combining thunderous drives with All‑Defensive potential, solid rebounding on both ends, and effective passing. In college he posted averages of 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks per game, complemented by a “ruthless competitive streak.” One summer league game highlights a promising leap, but he still has a long road to prove he can become a legitimate 3‑point threat at the NBA level. If the shooting progress continues, teams will have to adjust quickly.