Every top prospect gets a small handful of NBA comparisons when they enter the draft. Caleb Wilson hasn’t been any different. Experts have dropped a range of names when discussing the Chicago Bulls‘ 4th overall pick. Some see Evan Mobley, others see Kawhi Leonard or Chris Webber. Most agree that his style closely resembles Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett. Certainly, a strong list of possibilities that should get people excited about his potential. However, one league analyst believes people aren’t being creative enough.
Timothy Legler of ESPN believes Wilson’s ability can be crammed into just one straight comparison to another NBA player. He is a unique specimen the league hasn’t seen before. Based on what you saw in college and are now seeing in the Summer League, this young man has a chance to become something unheard of. He described Wilson as having the offensive versatility of Kevin Durant mixed with the defensive intensity and prowess of Garnett. If he meets those metrics, you’re looking at a potential all-time great.
Caleb Wilson can be the ultimate two-way player.
He has the explosive athleticism to attack the rim, and his shooting has taken considerable steps forward since leaving college. Everybody knew he already had loads of defensive capability. He proved that in several games for North Carolina, even though there were occasional lapses in discipline. People have gotten glimpses of what Legler is talking about during the Summer League. In four games, Wilson has averaged 23.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 2.5 blocks a night. All of that while averaging 28.6 minutes per game.
If you average those numbers out to a typical NBA start of 36 minutes? You’re looking at 29.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.3 blocks, and 1.6 steals. Preposterous numbers. You start to see what Legler was talking about. Offensive output similar to Durant and defensive presence similar to Garnett. Will he post this in actual NBA games? Almost certainly not. He still has a lot to learn. Yet the fact that he did this against guys his own age tells you that the ceiling people have put on him might not have been ambitious enough.
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How high Wilson goes depends on him.
People can talk about getting the right coaching and supporting cast. In reality, that is a bunch of bull. Great players in the NBA have always found ways to become great even in bad circumstances. Michael Jordan dominated on some trash Bulls teams in his early days. Durant was stacking numbers on some rough Supersonics and Thunder teams. Garnett built a Hall of Fame career in Minnesota, a longtime NBA backwater in the 1990s and 2000s. If Caleb Wilson is that guy, he’ll prove it on the court regardless of the situation around him.
So far, so good. It is okay for Bulls fans to be excited. The young man is ridiculously gifted. He also has a clear sense of direction. His work ethic is excellent, and his sole focus is getting better. Provided he stays healthy, progress should be notable before the end of this season. As for the team’s ultimate fate, that depends on VP Bryson Graham. Wilson becoming a superstar won’t carry the organization back to the mountaintop. He will need help eventually, just like Durant and Garnett did.
