UNC star Caleb Wilson, a projected top-5 pick, declares for NBA Draft

Caleb Wilson, a projected lottery pick who missed the last nine games of North Carolina’s season with hand and thumb injuries, has officially declared for the 2026 NBA Draft.

Wilson, a 6-foot-10, 215-pound forward, was a part of this season’s stellar freshman class, a group that many believe might be the best rookie class in the history of college hoops. Wilson averaged 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists and shot 57.8 percent from the field this season.

In a photo carousel posted to his Instagram account, Wilson captioned a group of photos with the words “never take it for granted” and included #8out (Wilson wore No. 8 this season for the Tar Heels.)

The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie’s latest draft model has Wilson being drafted at No. 4 by the Indiana Pacers.

Wilson broke his thumb dunking in practice March 5, and the school announced he’d have season-ending surgery the next day. He had missed UNC’s previous six games with a fractured left hand sustained Feb. 10 in a game against Miami.

Hours before Wilson broke his thumb, UNC coach Hubert Davis told reporters Wilson’s rehab for his fractured left hand was going well.

Carolina, which was upset by sixth-seeded VCU in the first round, is in upheaval after firing Davis on Tuesday. Though Wilson was expected to be a one-and-done, his declaration — before UNC has made a new hire and that hire had a chance to talk with Wilson — is another blow to the Tar Heels.