After the NBA draft, new Chicago Bulls 4th overall pick Caleb Wilson made a solemn vow. He would prepare for the upcoming Summer League with the intentions of showing every team that passed on him that it was a colossal mistake. He certainly had a tall mountain to climb. Fellow top four draft mates A.J. Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson had already put together some impressive performances to start the Summer League. Dybantsa dropped 27 points in his debut for the Washington Wizards, while Peterson had 28 for the Utah Jazz.
Wilson didn’t care. He came out against the Memphis Grizzlies and his old rival, Cameron Boozer, with killing intent. In 33 minutes of action, he put up 35 points, shooting 12-of-21 from field goal range. Even more impressive was his 7-of-11 mark from beyond the arc. His shooting was impressive all night, something that critics had hammered him for all pre-draft. He also added two steals and three blocks on defense. It was the best scoring performance in a debut by any player in Summer League history.
Caleb Wilson kept his word.
He promised to put on a show and did exactly that. There was no playing passive. He walked onto the court carrying himself like the main man and played like it. Every shot looked crisp and well-practiced, showcasing the obvious work he’s put in since his college season ended months ago with North Carolina. If this is the player he’s becoming already, the Bulls are about to be a far more dangerous team than anybody expected. Just don’t tell Wilson all of this.
The rookie didn’t look happy after the game ended. When informed of the record, he shrugged it off, expressing frustration that the team lost. Despite trailing by 11 at the start of the 4th quarter, Chicago chipped away at the lead, coming within two with five minutes left. Unfortunately, they couldn’t quite get over the hump. Wilson blamed himself, committing a team-high 6 turnovers and missing too many boxouts, which allowed Memphis some offensive rebounds. He also went 2-of-6 from the free throw line.
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Wilson continues to show the right mindset.
He showed everybody that the pre-draft scouting reports about him not having any shooting prowess were wrong. His intensity and effort on defense were evident all night. The primary issue was the efficiency. He made too many mistakes, giving Memphis enough opportunities to stay in front. These are things young players always have to learn. Michael Jordan was 5th in the NBA in turnovers during his rookie season with the Chicago Bulls. It took him a while to cut that down.
The point is Caleb Wilson showed all of the traits that had everybody excited about him in the first place. He was unguardable for large sections of that game. Yes, it’s the Summer League. The competition isn’t as high as the NBA. That isn’t the point. What matters is that Wilson did not play afraid and showed his willingness to play outside his comfort zone. People already know he’s a great rim-attacker. Becoming a shooter makes the Bulls’ rookie so much more of a threat, both now and in the future.
